SPARTA, Tenn. (WSMV) – Fluoride in our water supply is a growing issue around the country.
It’s reached here to Middle Tennessee where officials in Sparta are considering having it removed.
Mayor Jerry Lowery tells WSMV4 he came to the decision after conducting months of research and talking with residents.
“You’re getting it in so many different ways that I don’t think we need to continue to put it in, because we have so many people that are not wanting it,” Lowery explained.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers fluoride drinking water one of the greatest public health inventions.
Doctor Janeen Moore of Neighborhood Health at Napier Place agrees.
“It’s practical, it’s equitable and it’s cost effective, so it’s available to everyone if it’s in the water,” Moore said.
Sparta city leaders said they could save $40 to $50 thousand by removing fluoride from the budget.
Prior to any decisions, Mayor Lowery organized a town hall meeting Thursday night.
“I think it needs to be out, but I’m one vote, and I want to put both sides of the coin out there, let everyone decide, let the people decide what they want,” Lowery said.
This conversation comes after the Trump administration called on the CDC to change their guidance.
There was also a bill in the Tennessee General Assembly that would have decreased fluoride in public water system, but it failed to pass.
Based on feedback from Thursday’s town hall, the city could hold a vote in August to decide whether to remove fluoride from its water.
Original article online at: https://www.wsmv.com/2025/06/26/middle-tn-town-considers-removing-fluoride-water-supply/