20 Louisiana water systems receive CDC award for water fluordiation

Author: Melissa Martin, director of Well-Ahead Louisiana

Well-Ahead Louisiana, an initiative of the Louisiana Department of Health, is pleased to announce that the following water systems have made a commitment to improving the oral health of Louisianans, and have been awarded the 2016 Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This award recognizes communities that have achieved excellence in community water fluoridation and have shown a commitment to high levels of public water system operator care and accomplishment.

For 2016, the Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS) WFRS reported a total of 1,360 public water systems in 29 states receiving this award in November 2017, including 20 systems in Louisiana.

2016 Louisiana Water Fluoridation Quality Award Recipients

New Orleans Carrollton Water Works	Pointe A La Hache Water System	City of Shreveport Water System
Schriever Water Treatment Plan	West Jefferson Water Works District #2	Town of Walker Water System
Fort Polk North Water System	Houma Water Treatment Plant	Lafourche Water District No. 1
St. Charles Water District No. 1	St. John Water District No. 1	St. Charles Water Dist. No. 2
South Fort Polk North Water System #1-A	South Fort Polk North Water System #1-B	City of Bossier Water System
City of Vidalia Water System	East Jefferson Water Works District #1	Calcasieu Parish Water District #1
Calcasieu Parish Water District #1-B	Belle Chasse Water District

Seen as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20^th century, CDC recognizes water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay can cause abscesses and tooth less, low self-esteem, and weight issues in children. 

Nationally, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood – even more common than asthma or hay fever, causing children to miss an estimated 51 million hours of school each year.

 “Water fluoridation is a great investment that Louisiana communities can make to maintain the oral health of their residents.” stated Melissa Martin, Director of Well-Ahead Louisiana. “Congratulations to these communities for receiving the 2016 Water Fluoridation Quality Award and thank you for moving Louisiana’s health forward.”

About Well-Ahead Louisiana:

Well-Ahead Louisiana is an initiative of the Louisiana Department of Health aimed at improving the health and wellness of Louisiana residents. Well-Ahead Louisiana fosters a statewide community-based network that promotes health in all places and spaces, connecting organizations and residents across the state to the resources that will make healthy living easily accessible. To learn more, visit www.wellaheadla.com or follow us on Facebook @Well-Ahead Louisiana, LinkedIn @Well-Ahead Louisiana, Twitter @WellAheadLA, and Instagram @WellAheadLouisiana.