LEESBURG — State regulators have cited the Lee County Utilities Authority for exceeding federal and state limits on fluoride in part of its drinking water system, prompting a second public notice and ongoing corrective actions, though officials say there is no immediate risk to customers.
According to a notice issued by the authority, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division determined the system exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 4.0 milligrams per liter for fluoride, based on a running annual average of test results.
The violation traces back to September 2025, when testing at one entry point recorded fluoride levels of about 7.5 mg/L, nearly double the allowable limit. Because compliance is calculated as a rolling average over four quarters, that elevated result has continued to keep the system above the threshold into early 2026, resulting in a second violation.
Chris Boswell, general manager of the utilities authority, said the elevated reading was limited to a small portion of the system and was diluted by water from other wells that remained within acceptable ranges.
“At no particular time, when you look at the system as a whole, did it harm customers,” Boswell said in an interview. “But we take it seriously. People are drinking this water, and we need to make sure it’s safe.”
Lee County’s system relies on nine to 10 wells, each equipped with fluoride injection points designed to help prevent tooth decay. Boswell said only two sampling locations showed elevated levels, while the rest of the system tested below 2.0 mg/L during the same period.
State and federal rules require public notification when the running annual average exceeds limits, even if current samples fall within compliance. Officials emphasized that a single high reading can affect compliance status for up to a year due to the averaging formula.
To address the issue, the utilities authority implemented a corrective action plan approved by EPD in October. Changes included relocating the sampling site farther from the fluoride injection point and adjusting the chemical feed rate — steps officials believe contributed to the elevated reading.
Boswell said the proximity of the sampling location to the injection point likely skewed results higher than what customers would typically receive after the water is mixed throughout the system.
“We’re also re-evaluating all of our sampling locations and making operational adjustments,” he said, adding that staffing changes have been made as part of the response.
Despite the violations, the notice states customers do not need to take any immediate action. Fluoride is commonly added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay, though long-term exposure above recommended levels can pose health concerns.
In response to public inquiry, the Lee County Utilities Authority voted Thursday to begin the process of allowing residents to decide whether fluoride should remain an additive in the county’s public water system.
The decision, made during the authority’s monthly meeting, sets in motion a petition requirement that must be met before the issue can move forward. Officials said supporters will need to gather at least 2,500 signatures by July to place the measure on the November ballot.
If the threshold is reached and verified, voters would have the opportunity to determine whether fluoride continues to be added to the county’s drinking water supply.
The utilities authority said additional public notices may be required in the coming months until the running annual average falls below the regulatory limit. While officials acknowledged the seriousness of the violation, Boswell said the agency’s response should help reassure public concerns.
“Our customers — our people — are drinking this water, and it’s often taken for granted that it’s safe,” Boswell said. “We take that responsibility seriously, and we need to make sure it is safe.”
Officials said they will continue working with state regulators and monitoring the system, which undergoes routine testing for a range of contaminants, including bacteria, lead and other compounds.
“We have safeguards in place, and we agree with them,” Boswell said. “This is a 24/7 operation, and it needs to be.”
Original article online at: https://albanyherald.com/news/fluoride-violation-fuels-push-for-public-vote-in-lee-county/