Central Alabama Water has ended the practice of adding fluoride to its drinking water, a decision utility officials say was driven by aging equipment, rising costs and employee safety concerns.
The change affects only the supplemental fluoride historically added at CAW treatment plants and does not alter the rest of the water purification process.
By stopping fluoridation, the utility avoids more than $3.7 million in immediate capital upgrades for its aging systems, along with more than $250,000 in annual maintenance and chemical expenses. Officials also noted that ending the use of hydrofluorosilicic acid, the chemical used in the fluoridation process, will reduce exposure risks for workers and lower the likelihood of accidental spills.
“While we acknowledge there are strong opinions about fluoride in drinking water, this decision is based on our operational, safety and financial needs,” CAW CEO Jeffrey F. Thompson said. “This change reduces chemical handling risks for our employees, eliminates the use of aging equipment and allows us to focus resources on delivering safe, reliable and exceptionally high-quality drinking water.”
The addition of fluoride to public water systems was heavily promoted by health organizations before the widespread availability of fluoride toothpaste in the mid-1950s. Utility officials said they considered that many customers now receive significant fluoride through topical products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
The utility stressed it is not taking a medical position on the long-term health effects of ingesting fluoride, though it acknowledged ongoing debate among researchers and the public. CAW said the move allows customers to make individualized decisions about fluoride use with their health care providers.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released a statement following CAW’s announcement that says, in part:
“Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. It especially helps children, working families and seniors who don’t have the luxury of perfect access to dental care. The American Dental Association has recommended it for decades. This is basic public health. But once again, the people now running Central Alabama Water are choosing politics, cost-cutting and culture war nonsense over the actual well-being of the people they serve.”
Neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nor the Alabama Department of Environmental Management requires water utilities to add fluoride. Regulators only mandate that systems do not exceed maximum contaminant levels.
CAW has notified state regulators of the change and said its chemists and operators will continue testing the water to ensure it meets all environmental standards.
