Central Alabama Water's Fluoride Change Questioned

0:00It's March 27, Birmingham News. Today starts now, AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Central Alabama Water announced plans to stop adding fluoride to drinking water at its Shades Mountain Filter Plant. But now, the Alabama Department of Public Health and a state lawmaker are raising concerns that the utility might not have followed state rules. Alabama Law requires any public water system to give written notice to the state health officer at least 90 days before making such a change. This rule comes from section 22, 23, 21 of the Code of Alabama put in place back in 2018. State Health officials pointed out that central Alabama Water filed their notice on March 12, 2026 with a plan star date of June 10, 2026. That timeline seems to line up at first glance. However, the department questioned whether fluoride has already been removed. Recent statements from the utility's public relations manager

1:00suggest the change happens sooner than reported. As this plays out, public health experts watch closely to ensure drinking water standards stay protected for everyone served by the plan.