Central Alabama Water Drops Fluoride, Saves Millions

0:00This is Cory with the story, and here's what is making news across Birmingham right now. Central Alabama water has stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water supply. The utility made the move due to old equipment, higher costs, and safety worries for workers handling the chemicals. This only impacts the extra fluoride they added at treatment plants, while the full water purification process stays the same. By dropping fluoridation, they save more than $3.7 million on urgent system upgrades, plus over $250,000, dollars each year in maintenance and chemicals. Officials pointed out that the acid used for this process posed spill risks and exposure dangers to employees. Back in the mid-1950s, health groups pushed water fluoridation before toothpaste became common. Today, most folks get plenty of fluoride from products like toothpaste and mouthwash, so the utility felt it was less essential. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor Alabama regulators require adding fluoride,

1:00as long as levels stay below safe limits. Central Alabama water has informed state officials about the switch. Water experts there will keep testing regularly to make sure everything meets standards, keeping tap safe for customers across the region.