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GATESVILLE – County, regional and state officials are working to address elevated levels of fluoride found in Gates County’s groundwater.

In a recent national study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Gates County’s groundwater as having the highest elevated fluoride level in North Carolina and the sixth highest nationally, based on sampling data from 2017 – 2019.

Gates County’s annual drinking water quality reports show fluoride concentrations have ranged from 2.7 to 2.9 ppm (parts per million) from 2012 through 2023.

At low levels, fluoride, which is naturally occurring in water, is good as it help prevent cavities. However, as the fluoride levels increase, so does the chance for cosmetic discoloration of teeth. The EWG says that even higher levels are “presumed to be a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans.”

Since 2014, Gates County has notified the public each year that the drinking water may cause dental fluorosis in children under nine years of age.

The EWG report was published on Aug. 21. The next day, North Carolina State Senator Bobby Hanig contacted Gates County Manager Scott Sauer regarding the report and the possible health-related consequences for Gates County.

Sauer said that phone call led to immediate contact with Albemarle Regional Health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina General Assembly.

By the first week of September, Gates County Public Utilities Director Brad Arnold initiated an accelerated water quality sampling protocol with weekly testing to begin immediately. Weekly testing will occur at all three water supply wells for Gates County on a weekly basis for three months, then transition to monthly testing for six months in an effort to develop a more current baseline to measure the fluoride concentration if an effort to compare with the 2017 – 2019 sampling in the National Toxicity Program Study.

At last week’s (Sept. 18) meeting of the Gates County Board of Commissioners, Arnold said the samples taken on Sept. 4 yielded the following results:

Well #1 – 3.2 milligrams per liter (allowable limit is 4.0)

Well #2 – 1.0 milligrams per liter

Well #3 – 1.1 milligrams per liter

Arnold noted that the blended effluent leaving the water plant, sampled on the same date, showed 3.1 milligrams per liter.

To help further reduce the level of fluoride in the public water system, Arnold shut down well #1 on Sept. 11.

“Brad and I are hopeful that the shutdown of well #1 will yield positive results, and in 10 to 15 days the sampling analysis will be available to test this hypothesis,” Sauer said.

At the Sept. 18 board meeting, Hanig stressed that further action is needed to mitigate this issue and get it under control.

“After reaching out to state health officials, I feel we’re on a good path forward,” Hanig noted. “We’re trying to find direct funding or grants to do what we need to do. The state will be walking hand in hand with ya’ll through this whole process. We have to get this situation under control and do it quickly. We will find the resources that are needed.”

State House Representative Bill Ward added that the effort will include looking at several options to get the elevated fluoride levels under control.

“Senator Hanig called us less than 24 hours after the national report was released. He, Representative Ward, and Albemarle Regional Health are at work for us,” said Sauer.

Addressing the impact of having to shut down well #1, Sauer stressed that well has the lowest production of the three used by the Gates County Public Water System. He said well #1 pumps only 215 gallons per minute; well #2 is 625 gallons per minute, and #3 is 900 gallons per minute.

“In terms of the impact on our water supply and the effect on our customers, they should be minimal,” Sauer stated

“Well #1 has be offline for over one week and that has not compromised our system,” Arnold said.

In an effort to locate a better source of groundwater, Sauer said test wells are needed initially at a cost of $100,000 each. That issue was addressed by Rodney Tart of Green Engineering, a firm under contract by the county.

“As Brad said, we need a profile analysis to first establish a benchmark,” Tart noted. “We need that data, to include water quality and the depth of the wells.”

The county is already in contact with state legislative leaders about a special appropriation to help offset the costs of the test wells and ensuing analysis of the aquifers from which Gates County draws its groundwater.

Tart recommended a comprehensive hydrological study. He said the study would cost around $150,000 plus $100,000 for each of as many as six test wells, which will be strategically placed in certain areas based on the information from the hydrological study.

“Let’s not start digging permanent holes in the ground until we have better information,” Tart suggested, adding that the fluoride levels are excessively high for some reason in Gates County. “Fluoride is good at acceptable levels but it can cause problems at excessive levels. It’s kind’a like salt, a little bit is good, but too much will put you in the hospital.”

Commissioner Brian Rountree asked what was the timetable to have the hydrological study completed and the test wells dug. Tart said the test wells would take about 12 months and the study of that water could take another six months to complete.

“Let’s do it right and get good data of where to place your new wells,” Tart said.

Sauer added that a year has passed since Rep. Ward and Senator Hanig presented Gates County with a check for $10 million, appropriated from the state budget.

“At the top of the board of commissioners list of how to invest that money is to install new wells,” he recalled. “We know we have wells that are not performing as they should. We have that targeted, as well as a new 300,000 gallon water tank here in Gatesville.”