Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on an existing information collection project titled National Surveillance of Community Water Systems and Corresponding Populations with the Recommended Fluoridation Level. This surveillance program collects the fluoridation status of, and population served by the nation's 52,000 community water systems (CWS) which serve the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 215 (Monday, November 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 215 (Monday, November 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70885-70886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22821]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-27-1319; Docket No. CDC-2026-1783]


Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice with comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the 
utility of government information, invites the general public and other 
federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a continuing information 
collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This 
notice invites comment on an existing information collection project 
titled National Surveillance of Community Water Systems and 
Corresponding Populations with the Recommended Fluoridation Level. This 
surveillance program collects the fluoridation status of, and 
population served by the nation's 52,000 community water systems (CWS) 
which serve the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

DATES: CDC must receive written comments on or before January 8, 2027.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2026-
1783 by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail: Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road 
NE, MS-H21-8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and Docket Number. CDC will post, without change, all relevant comments 
to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
    Please note: Submit all comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
portal (<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>) or by U.S. mail to the address listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the 
proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan 
and instruments, contact Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection 
Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton 
Road NE, MS-H21-8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; phone: 404-639-7570; Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3857555a785b5c5b165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e18e8c83a1828582cf868e97">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires 
federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new 
proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of 
information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information 
collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To 
comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a 
proposed data collection as described below.
    The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses; and
    5. Assess information collection costs.

Proposed Project

    National Surveillance of Community Water Systems and Corresponding 
Populations with the Recommended Fluoridation Level--(OMB Control No 
0920-1319, Exp. 2/28/2027)--Extension--National Center for Chronic 
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the 
fluoride concentration of a Community Water Systems (CWS) to the level 
beneficial for prevention of dental caries as recommended by the US 
Public Health Service (PHS). Community water fluoridation is a major 
factor contributing to the large decline in caries in the U.S. in the 
past 75 years and is recognized as one of 10 great public health 
achievements of the twentieth century. Community water fluoridation 
reduces dental caries by 25% and is a safe, and is the most cost-
effective way to deliver fluoride to people of all ages, regardless of 
education and income level. It is especially important for populations 
with limited access to preventive dental measures. CDC is authorized to 
collect the information under the Public Health Service Act. This data 
collection aligns with CDC's strategy to use public health surveillance 
to inform programs and policies to improve the oral health of the 
nation by reducing disparities and expanding access to effective 
prevention programs.
    CDC uses the Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS) to collect 
water fluoridation coverage and quality throughout the U.S. Respondents 
to the information collection are state fluoridation managers or other 
state government officials designated by the state dental director or 
drinking water administrator. State participation in the data 
collection is voluntary. This data allows CDC and states to monitor the 
performance and efficiency of their water fluoridation programs, which 
will improve and extend program delivery.
    CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 2,783 annual burden 
hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their time to 
participate.

[[Page 70886]]



                                                            Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                                          Number of     Average burden
              Type of respondents                             Form name                   Number of     responses per    per response      Total burden
                                                                                         respondents     respondent       (in hours)        (in hours)
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State Official................................  Fluoridation status and population...              50               1              37.5            1,875
State Official................................  Fluoride testing data................              33               1              27.5              908
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    Total.....................................  .....................................  ..............  ..............  ................            2,783
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Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health 
Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2026-22821 Filed 11-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P


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