Bloomington has restored fluoride to its tap water supplies after more than six years without consistent levels, the city announced Monday.
The city had been without consistently fluoridated tap water since late 2019 due to persistent erosion issues with the City of Bloomington Utilities’ (CBU) water tank lining. As of Jan. 28, the city said fluoride levels have been restored via a temporary system with a more “resilient, modular design.” The city said this solution will allow the CBU to make repairs and continue consistent fluoridation until a new, permanent fluoridation system can be constructed.
“With the temporary system now operational, CBU is once again feeding fluoride at recommended levels,” the city said in the release.
Restoration comes after city was criticized for not publicizing fluoride issue
The CBU faced pushback in the fall for not widely notifying the public about its fluoride problem in the nearly six years since it first arose. Experts say communities often see a spike in cavity and gum issues — particularly among children — in communities where fluoride is withdrawn.
Stephen Pritchard, a retired dentist and member of the Monroe County Board of Health, said in September that there had been a “serious lapse in communication” from the CBU. He called on the CBU to publicize more information about the issue, and to notify the public when fluoride levels were restored.
The city acknowledged those criticisms in its press release, stating that“public reporting on fluoride levels was inconsistent in prior years.”
CBU Director Kat Zaiger previously said the CBU refrained from sending out mass notifications about fluoride to not alarm the public or misconstrue it as a public health emergency.
“While fluoride is not required for water potability, public health officials widely recognize its benefits for dental health, particularly for children and populations with limited access to dental care,” the city said in the press release. “The City recognizes that this lack of information created confusion and that clearer, more proactive communication would have better served the public.”
Going forward, the press release said that the CBU will present annually on its fluoride levels and other water quality metrics during a public meeting of the Utilities Service Board.
Bloomington restores fluoride during a time when practice is becoming controversial
The practice of fluoridating public water supplies has become increasingly controversial in recent years. Advocates say fluoridating water helps to passively strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay, while opponents like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argue it’s unnatural treatment that can cause a range of neurological issues.
Fluoridating public water is a widespread practice in some 72% of water systems across the country, but some state and local governments have begun to push back against it..
Last May, Utah became the first state in the country to ban fluoride from public drinking water. That same month, commissioners voted to remove fluoride from water supplies in Miami-Dade county, the most populous county in Florida.
Original article online at: https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2026/02/09/bloomington-restores-fluoride-to-public-tap-water-supplies-after-six-years/88594007007/