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The City of Middletown has been cited by the Orange County Health Department for an incident involving excessive fluoride levels in its water system. The issue occurred on November 10, 2025, when a malfunction caused the system to overfeed fluoride for approximately five hours. However, the city did not report the incident until December 9, 2025, violating the New York State Sanitary Code, which requires notification within 48 hours.
According to city officials, the recommended fluoride concentration is 0.7 milligrams per liter, but the system malfunction likely led to higher levels being delivered to the public. Although test results after the incident showed normal fluoride levels, the city acknowledged that elevated levels might have been present in the water during the malfunction.
Public Works Commissioner Jacob Tawil stated that the city has taken corrective measures, including unplugging the system, conducting interviews, and working with the Department of Health to minimize future risks. Letters have been sent to all water system users to inform them of the potential long-term effects of the overfeed. The city has also upgraded its systems to prevent similar incidents from occurring again, and the fluoride injection system was reactivated on December 12, 2025.
The city is collaborating with the Orange County Department of Health to ensure compliance with regulations and has been conducting additional testing, which has shown fluoride levels within the optimal range. Residents are advised that there is no need to switch to alternative water sources, but those with specific health concerns should consult a doctor or dentist.