Is fluoride out of drinking water in Collier County? What to know
Is fluoride still in drinking water?
The answer is “no” in Collier County.
Fluoride being added in the public drinking water for Collier residents stopped Feb. 13 at 1 p.m., according to the county’s public utilities department.
The plug was pulled quickly, the same day of a unanimous vote of the Collier County commission to permanently halt adding fluoride to the drinking water.
More: Medicated without consent? Collier leaders halt fluoride being added in drinking water
The decision was tied to the county’s Health Freedom Bill of Rights ordinance adopted in 2023 to not impose medical treatment without residents’ consent. The ordinance was adopted to protect residents’ health care freedoms.
The county’s decision did not affect fluoridation policies in the cities of Naples or Marco Island. Both the cities of Marco and Everglades City do not add fluoride to its water system, according to their utility officials.
Statewide 20 counties in 2022 did not have fluoridated drinking water but many are rural and without public water systems, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.
More: Collier leaders pass 'health freedom' ordinance to protect individual liberties
Why did this change come about in Collier?
Collier had been adding fluoride to drinking water since 1985.
The policy change happened after the issue was brought to the attention of Commissioner Dan Kowal. He said the county was in violation of the health care freedom ordinance by adding fluoride to the water.
Dozens of residents addressed the board ahead of the Feb. 13 vote with conflicting points of view. Some cited harm from fluoride and how it can cause brain damage, thyroid issues and lower the IQ of children.
Others in support of maintaining fluoridation, including individuals from the dental and medical professions, said it helps prevent tooth decay, which is particularly important for children from low-income families.
So how quickly did the county change gears?
Fluoridating the water involves adding a chemical to a feeder connected to the water system, according to the county’s utility department in an email.
“We did not remove fluoride; we simply stopped adding it to the drinking water supply,” according to the email. “The fluoridated water that was already in the system was used, so no water was wasted.”
The cost of the fluoride was about $126,000 per year so that is being saved, according to the county. Labor costs were not estimated.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Health Freedom ordinance meant fluoridating the water is a no-no
