BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Less than a week after Central Alabama Water (CAW) announced its intention to remove fluoride from public drinking water at one of their filter plants, officials with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and a state lawmaker are questioning if the utility followed state law to do so.
Section 22-23-21 of the Code of Alabama, enacted in 2018, says any public water system seeking to discontinue putting fluoride in their water supply must provide written notice to the State Health Officer no fewer than 90 days before implementing the change.
In a statement to WBRC on Thursday, March 26, ADPH said CAW filed their intention to remove fluoride from their Shades Mountain filter plant on March 12, 2026. According to ADPH the change would be implemented June 10, 2026.
The statement from ADPH goes on to question if CAW has already removed fluoride from the water at that plant, saying in part, ”CAW’s press release of March 20, 2026, and recent statements by John Matson, CAW’s Public Relations Manager…indicate that CAW has already discontinued adding fluoride to its drinking water at Shades Mountain…”
ADPH said if CAW has already stopped putting fluoride in water at the Shades Mountain plant, then CAW would be required by law to continue putting fluoride in the water supply until proper notice is given to the State Health Officer.
CAW said in their most recent statement to WBRC they believe they have and are following the law.
CAW has also said three other filter plants stopped fluoridating water under the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) as early as 2023, before the water utility board was restructured through state law to create CAW in 2025.
State Representative Patrick Sellers (D-District 57) said whether fluoride was removed under previous leadership or not, it’s ultimately up to the current leadership of the CAW to follow the law.
“You can’t necessarily blame it on the old board or old leadership when the buck stops with those that are in charge today,” Sellers said.
Sources tell WBRC that CAW and officials with ADPH will meet Friday, March 27, to discuss the decision to remove fluoride from drinking water.
Original article online at: https://www.wbrc.com/2026/03/27/adph-state-lawmaker-question-if-central-alabama-water-followed-law-removing-fluoride-public-water/