Central Arkansas Water resumes fluoride use after shipment arrives

Central Arkansas Water has resumed adding fluoride after a shipment of the chemical arrived, keeping treatment in place as the Conway utility’s existing supply was expected to run out this week.

Shipment arrives

The arrival of the shipment changes the immediate supply situation for Central Arkansas Water. The utility had been approaching the end of its available fluoride chemical, but a new supply is now on hand.

That means the utility can add fluoride again rather than stop when its earlier supply runs out. The development concerns the chemical used in the utility’s water-treatment process.

Conway supply was nearing its end

Conway’s utility was set to run out of the chemical this week. The shipment arrived before that shortage could end the utility’s ability to add fluoride, allowing the treatment to continue.

The timing matters because the utility’s prior supply was nearly exhausted. The new shipment provides the chemical needed for the next stage of the process.

What the change means

Central Arkansas Water is now adding fluoride again following the shipment’s arrival. The development does not change the fact that Conway had been facing a near-term supply issue; it addresses that issue by bringing in more of the chemical.

The utility’s action is a continuation of fluoride treatment after the shipment arrived. No change to the utility’s service area or to the water system is described in the announcement.

Next steps

The immediate focus is the utility’s use of the newly arrived shipment and the status of its fluoride supply. Central Arkansas Water’s treatment activity will continue to be the key point to follow as Conway moves past the week in which its earlier chemical supply was expected to run out.

Read the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette report on the shipment and fluoride treatment