Judge Orders Fluoride Reinstatement in Alabama Water

0:00A judge in Alabama just dropped a hammer on central Alabama water, ordering them to crank fluoride back up in every single treatment plant they run. This came after Birmingham sued last Thursday, saying the utility ditched fluoridation at their last working plant, hurting public health. The ruling hit Monday from Circuit Judge Frederick Allen Bowling, and it demands full compliance pronto, no excuses. Three out of four plants went dark under the old board, without telling anyone, including the state. Alabama law says, you got to give the help officer 90 days notice before messing with fluoride levels, unless it's a short-term glitch, like busted, gear or supply issues. The utility claims they fit that exception to dodge big repair bills, topping $3,700,000. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin notched his first big win here in his beef, with a new board, amid cries of mismanagement that tanked their credit, rating from AA to AA-minus. The judge called out ballooning admin pay hundreds of frontline layoffs and bloated legal

1:03fees over $100,000 a month, questioning how costs justify risking kids' teeth. The utility insists their move was legal and permanent to save cash, but the judge shot that down, saying courts can't greenlight breaking the law. Over money. They got to order parts and approve over time if needed, across the whole system, not just one plant. Birmingham dies deeper, April 2nd, so watch if this forces rate hikes or sparks more clashes between the city and utility brass. The bottom line stays front and center. From your city, powered by AI, this is Birmingham News today.