[Fluoride concentration in drinking water in small villages in the Cape province]

The purpose of the study was to update existing tables on the fluoride content of drinking water and thereby help curb its fluoride overdose from the use of fluoride containing tablets. The fluoride concentration in the drinking water of 57 villages in the Cape Province was determined by a combination fluoride ion selective electrode. This investigation showed that the number of available water sources decreased as follows: boreholes greater than dams greater than fountains = canals. Furthermore, boreholes contained more fluoride in the drinking water than fountains, dams or canals (p less than 0.10). Five out of 41 boreholes have less than or equal to 0.10 parts per million (ppm) fluoride in the drinking water, while 17 out of 26 dams, 4 out of 13 rivers and 3 out of 5 fountains and canals contained less than or equal to 0.10 ppm fluoride.