Earlier this month, Central Alabama Water (CAW) announced they were discontinuing water fluoridation due to aging equipment and increasing maintenance costs. Yet just days later, local news revealed that three of their treatment plants had stopped adding fluoride much earlier—January 2023, August 2023, and March 2024 respectively.

The utility cited vague health concerns, suggesting people could compensate by using toothpaste or mouthwash. Mayor Randall Woodfin took to Facebook to criticize the lack of transparency, pointing out that several key leaders were unchanged post-structure law. He also questioned whether CAW’s actions breached state regulations requiring 90-day notice.

“It’s important to realize that pretty much no one in Birmingham has had any fluoride in their water for two years,” a spokesperson told local WBRC, adding that the change occurred before the restructuring of the water board. Residents were left without public notification, unable to consult with their dentists about the potential impacts.

The move highlights ongoing debates over water fluoridation’s benefits and draws attention to the importance of clear communication from utility providers. Will this revelation spark a reassessment of practices across the region?