Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Practice Test

In the case of significant fluoride chemical overfeeding, what is the recommended action?

1. Increase water flow to dilute

2. Shut down the plant and notify health departments

3. Continue normal operations

4. Only notify local health departments

The correct answer is: Shut down the plant and notify health departments

In situations involving significant fluoride chemical overfeeding, shutting down the plant and notifying health departments is the most appropriate response. Fluoride is often added to drinking water supplies to prevent tooth decay; however, when overfed, it can pose serious health risks to the public, such as dental and skeletal fluorosis. The safety of the drinking water supply is paramount, and significant overfeeding could lead to fluoride levels exceeding the EPA's maximum contaminant level. By shutting down the plant, you immediately halt the addition of fluoride to the water supply, mitigating any potential harm to the consumers. Notifying health departments is also crucial, as they can take further action to protect the population, including public notifications and health advisories. Coordinating with health officials ensures that appropriate measures are taken to inform and safeguard the community from any adverse health impacts resulting from excessive fluoride exposure. In contrast, options like increasing water flow to dilute the fluoride could take time and may not effectively prevent exposure, while continuing normal operations would put consumers at risk, and merely notifying local health departments without stopping the overfeeding fails to address the immediate danger.