Yes.
Sodium hydroxide or caustic soda is added as a stabilizer of pH. The natural pH of our water varies from 4.5-5.0 and is considered acidic. Caustic soda, an alkaline, is added to the water to raise the pH to the desired 8.0-8.2 pH which has the greatest potential to decrease corrosion. It is an odorless, colorless and tasteless compound used in extremely small doses to obtain the desired pH.
Does our water have fluoride in it?
No.
Some water suppliers, based on their geology and where their water comes from, have naturally occurring fluoride in their water. Bethpage is below detection limits for naturally occurring fluoride, therefore, effectively there is none. Some other water suppliers opt to add fluoride to the drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. We do not add fluoride to the water for a few reasons. The operational cost, safe handling and storage of the dangerous chemical far outweigh the benefits of having it in the water for a water supplier.
Fluoride can be obtained elsewhere through several types of oral care products. Making sure our water is safe for everyone to use is in our best interest and the introduction of ANY additive is strictly to enhance the safety of the water. Fluoride does not enhance the integrity of the water and we leave it to the consumer to decide where they get their fluoride.