Pinellas County Utilities will cease adding fluoride to its public drinking water supply by July 1, 2025, the agency announced. The move comes in direct response to a new Florida state law that will no longer permit the practice.
Officials assured residents that drinking water service will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
For decades, Pinellas County Utilities has fluoridated its water, adhering to levels recommended by federal health agencies.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, is widely recognized for its benefits in preventing and even reversing tooth decay.
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However, with the recent passage of Senate Bill 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, Florida has become the second state in the nation to effectively ban the addition of fluoride to public water systems.
The new legislation, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this May and set to take effect July 1, does not explicitly name fluoride. Instead, it prohibits “the use of certain additives in a water system,” a clause that encompasses fluoride.
“We remain dedicated to delivering safe, reliable and high-quality water to all of our customers and will continue to ensure your water meets or exceeds all federal, state and local standards for safe drinking water,” stated Pinellas County Utilities Director Jeremy Waugh. He advised individuals concerned about the removal of fluoride from their drinking water to consult their healthcare provider for alternative resources.
At a news conference earlier this month, Governor DeSantis characterized the fluoridation of water as “forced medication on people,” asserting that it violates “informed consent.”
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He, along with State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, pointed to concerns about potential negative effects of fluoride, particularly on pregnant women and children.
The Governor referenced a 2019 study suggesting a link between maternal fluoride exposure during pregnancy and slightly lower IQ levels in children, though the research was noted as being “far from conclusive.”
“Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine,” DeSantis remarked. “But forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people. They don’t have a choice.” He further argued that residents have other means to access fluoride if desired and stressed that it should not be mandated by government. “There’s nothing preventing you in your house from adding fluoride to your water,” DeSantis added.
The decision marks a significant shift in public health policy for Pinellas County and the state, moving away from a long-standing practice aimed at dental health.
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