Manatee Joins the Trend of Stopping Fluoridation in Public Drinking Water

Manatee County Bans Fluoride Addition to Drinking Water

In a significant move on Tuesday, Manatee County became the latest Florida community to cease the addition of fluoride to its public drinking water supply. This decision was made by the county commission with a 5-1 vote, reflecting a blend of concerns that diverged from those of other regions who have opted to halt fluoridation.

The decision stemmed from several factors: a shared apprehension surrounding studies linking elevated fluoride levels with cognitive impairments in children, alongside the desire for individuals to make informed decisions about their own consumption.

Additional considerations unique to Manatee County included:

• A fluoridation facility that has remained non-operational since 2021, with repair costs estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million needed by 2026. This follows a projected $52 million system upgrade slated for 2027, as outlined by county utility director Patrick Shea.
• The anticipation that a forthcoming bill in the Florida Legislature could override local ordinances, potentially enforcing a statewide prohibition on all water supply additives.

“I don’t care if we have fluoride or not, honestly,” stated Commissioner George Kruse prior to the vote. “This is performative at the end of the day. The state’s about to ban fluoride additives statewide…” He emphasized that authorizing the utilities department to invest taxpayer dollars in a repair project just months before a state-wide ban would be fiscally irresponsible.

This decision effectively rescinded a 1991 mandate requiring the county to add fluoride to its water. Originally, the board intended to vote on this proposition in January, but it was deferred upon discovering the intact, but dormant, fluoridation system.

Commissioner Amanda Ballard was instrumental in raising the issue, highlighting recent guidance from Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo that has been critical of local fluoridation practices.

Globally, fluoride has been added to drinking water for decades, primarily to improve dental health. Recent studies, however, indicate that fluoride levels beyond recommended thresholds may adversely affect children’s cognitive capabilities. The established safe level is 0.7 parts per million.

Last year’s national discourse intensified following a report from the National Toxicology Program, indicating a correlation between higher fluoride exposure levels and reduced IQ in children, starting from 1.5 ppm. Despite some notable dental experts contesting the veracity of this research, respected organizations like the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics continue to advocate for fluoride use as a means of preventing tooth decay.

“There is no legitimate study to show that 0.7 parts per million poses a health risk at all,” asserted Dr. Robert Klement, a dentist in Manatee County, during the commission meeting. He emphasized that fluoridation benefits everyone, particularly lower socioeconomic demographics, who are disproportionately affected by dental decay, described as the globe’s primary chronic disease.

Dr. Klement dismissed those opposing fluoridation as a “small minority,” reinforcing that a significant portion of the community recognizes the benefits fluoride affords to both children and adults.

Ultimately, the commissioners decided to rely on the natural fluoride levels present in the county’s water supply, which residents have unknowingly been using for the past four years. Commissioner Bob McCann cast the sole dissenting vote.

Key Information

• Manatee County decided to stop adding fluoride to public drinking water with a 5-1 vote.
• Concerns include potential cognitive health risks for children due to elevated fluoride levels.
• Financial factors influenced the decision, including a broken fluoridation system and anticipated state legislation.
• The action reverses a 1991 ordinance mandating fluoride addition.
• The only dissenting vote came from Commissioner Bob McCann.