News Summary
St. Petersburg, Florida will halt the addition of fluoride to its public drinking water starting July 1, following the signing of Senate Bill 700. This ban will only affect the added fluoride, not the naturally occurring levels. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch assured residents that the safety and quality of drinking water will remain intact. The decision reflects ongoing debates over health impacts associated with fluoride. With other Florida communities also making similar changes, public health officials highlight the importance of maintaining dental health through alternative methods.
St. Petersburg, Florida will stop adding fluoride to its public drinking water starting July 1, following the recent signing of Senate Bill 700, which bans the use of fluoride in Florida’s water supply. With this legislative change, the implementation of new water system adjustments will begin during the week of June 16 and will continue until the existing fluoride supplies are completely used up.
While the law prohibits the addition of fluoride, it does not require the removal of naturally occurring fluoride, which is sometimes found in water sources. City officials in St. Petersburg have confirmed that the drinking water will still contain some levels of this naturally occurring fluoride. To ensure the safety of residents, officials will keep a close eye on these fluoride levels.
Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has stated that the cessation of fluoride addition will not compromise the safety or quality of the city’s drinking water. Residents have been advised to take proactive steps to maintain their dental health. This includes using fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses, attending regular dental check-ups, limiting the intake of sugary foods and drinks, and seeking supplemental fluoride treatments from dental professionals as needed.
The push to eliminate fluoride from the water comes on the heels of advice from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. He has pointed to studies suggesting a link between fluoride intake and adverse effects on IQ and behavioral health. However, despite this recommendation, local governments have the authority to make their own decisions regarding water fluoridation, and these recommendations are not legally binding.
Some Florida communities have followed suit in removing fluoride from their water supply, including Stuart, Tavares, and Port St. Lucie. Meanwhile, in contrast, the City of Leesburg has decided to proceed with plans to fluoridate its water after significant public debate. Currently, approximately 70% of Florida’s community water systems treat water with fluoride, highlighting a substantial divide in public health policy at the municipal level.
The controversy surrounding fluoride comes amid reports from other regions. For instance, Calgary, Canada, which eliminated fluoride, reported that children faced negative dental health outcomes, prompting them to reconsider their decision by 2025. As studies continue to emerge about the potential risks of high levels of fluoride, health experts express concerns about the implications for dental health, particularly for vulnerable populations, including children.
It is significant to note that the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider community water fluoridation one of the major public health achievements of the 20th century, citing reductions in tooth decay as a major benefit. Experts warn that the removal of fluoride from water supplies may aggravate dental problems in populations, especially those where access to dental care is already limited.
The fluoride ban was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis as part of the Florida Farm Bill, marking Florida as the second state, after Utah, to enact such legislation. Not only does this law prohibit the addition of fluoride, but it also bans other medical additives in public drinking water, intensifying the ongoing debate over public health and safety measures.
As cities grapple with the decision to fluoridate or not, the conversation about the benefits versus risks of fluoride continues to evolve. Stakeholders and health officials are urged to consider both scientific evidence and community health needs in their water treatment policies moving forward.
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HERE Resources
Florida Bans Fluoride in Public Drinking Water
Florida Bans Fluoride in Drinking Water
Florida Bans Fluoride in Public Water Systems
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: Florida Urges Local Governments to Remove Fluoride
- Florida Today: How and Why Tap Water is Fluoridated in Florida
- Patch: FL Bill Banning Fluoride in Drinking Water Signed into Law by DeSantis
- CBS News: Ron DeSantis Signs Fluoride Ban in Florida
- Wikipedia: Fluoride
