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Birmingham Water: Fluoride Gone for Years!
30 Mar
Summary
- Fluoride removal from Birmingham's water began as early as 2023.
- Residents were not informed about the years-long water treatment changes.
- Repairs to fluoride systems would cost over $3.7 million.
Residents of Birmingham, Alabama, recently received news that fluoride would be removed from their drinking water. However, a more significant revelation followed: fluoride had already been absent for years, with the changes implemented without public knowledge.
Central Alabama Water (CAW) confirmed that treatment plants ceased adding fluoride as early as 2023, with a third plant stopping in March 2024. CAW has no record of informing residents about these alterations, which occurred under different leadership and utility names.
The issue surfaced after CAW announced a plan to discontinue fluoridation due to costs and aging infrastructure. Officials stated that necessary repairs to the fluoridation systems would amount to over $3.7 million. Fluoride has been a standard additive in public water for decades to prevent cavities, with endorsements from major health organizations.
Experts express concern over the removal, warning of potential health effects like increased cavity rates, particularly among young children. Despite some past concerns raised by certain political figures, mainstream scientific consensus supports water fluoridation. Several states, including Utah and Florida, have moved away from fluoridation, with others considering similar legislation.
Birmingham's mayor criticized the lack of transparency, emphasizing the public's right to know about their water supply. Meanwhile, a former attorney for the previous water board alleged that those responsible for the disrepair of the fluoride systems now lead CAW. The utility stated it has informed state agencies and is committed to greater transparency moving forward.
