ALABASTER, Ala. (WBMA) — The City of Alabaster Water Department announced it will no longer add fluoride to the city’s drinking water beginning Monday, June 8.
In a statement posted on social media, city officials said the decision followed an evaluation of operational factors, including employee safety, equipment maintenance requirements, chemical handling procedures and long-term infrastructure needs associated with the fluoridation system.
The city said fluoride is not used as part of the water treatment or disinfection process and emphasized that the change will not affect the safety or quality of drinking water.
“Water quality and regulatory compliance will continue to remain the highest priorities for the City of Alabaster,” the department said.
Residents who wish to continue receiving fluoride for dental health are encouraged to speak with a dentist or healthcare provider about alternatives, including fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinses, supplements or professional treatments.
The move comes just months after Central Alabama Water, which serves customers across five counties in the Birmingham metro area, announced it would discontinue adding fluoride to its drinking water. At the time, utility officials cited employee safety concerns, aging equipment and the costs associated with maintaining fluoridation systems.
Central Alabama Water’s decision drew criticism from some public health advocates and Birmingham city leaders, who argued fluoridation helps prevent tooth decay, particularly among children and residents with limited access to dental care.
Neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nor the Alabama Department of Environmental Management requires public water systems to add fluoride, though many utilities have historically done so as a public health measure.
It was not immediately clear whether Alabaster’s decision involved costs associated with upgrading or replacing fluoridation equipment.
Original article online at: https://abc3340.com/news/local/alabaster-to-stop-adding-fluoride-to-drinking-water