LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – A growing petition effort in Lee County could soon put the future of fluoride in the county’s drinking water up for a public vote.
Residents are working to collect 2,000 signatures by July 2026 — The number required to place the issue on the November ballot — as debate spreads among families over what should be in their tap water.
The push follows a 2025 state violation issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), when fluoride levels in the county’s water system exceeded recommended limits. A Lee County public notice listed the fluoride level at 7.5 mg/L, significantly over the federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) limit of 0.7 mg/L, from July 1 through September 30.
While officials said the issue has since been corrected, it has become a key talking point for those now advocating to remove fluoride altogether.
Supporters of the petition argue eliminating fluoride could reduce costs and prevent the risk of future overexposure. Others worry removing it could take away a long-standing public health benefit.
Dental experts say fluoride is commonly added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay, strengthening enamel, and reducing cavities, especially for children and people without regular access to dental care.
Georgia ranks among the highest in the nation for access to fluoridated water, with about 95% of residents served, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But at higher-than-recommended levels, fluoride can pose risks. Prolonged overexposure may lead to dental fluorosis, causing tooth discoloration, and, in rare cases, skeletal fluorosis, which affects bones and joints.
Some families say they want more control over what goes into their drinking water, while others say removing fluoride could have long-term consequences for dental health, particularly for children.
If petitioners reach the required number of signatures by July, voters will decide in November whether to keep or remove fluoride from the county’s water system.
For more information on the risks of fluoride, click here.
Original article online at: https://www.walb.com/2026/04/21/petition-drive-grows-remove-fluoride-lee-county-water-system/