Another Alabama city just stopped adding fluoride to its water
Alabaster has ended water fluoridation citing safety, cost and infrastructure, prompting mixed public reactions.
Ethan Parker 
The Alabaster Water Department has officially joined a growing list of Alabama cities deciding to pull the plug on adding fluoride to their public drinking water systems.
In a statement posted to Facebook on June 8, the department confirmed the move, citing a need to address chemical handling, equipment maintenance, and overall employee safety. Officials emphasized that this shift is strictly logistical and infrastructure-based, noting that fluoride is not part of the core disinfection process.
“Fluoride is not used as part of the water treatment or disinfection process. The discontinuation of fluoridation does not affect the treatment, safety or quality of the drinking water itself,” the department stated. “Water quality and regulatory compliance will continue to remain the highest priorities for the city of Alabaster.”
Why the change?
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that some communities add fluoride to help prevent tooth decay, state law does not mandate the practice, leaving the final call to local utilities. For Alabaster, the move is as much about the bottom line as it is about infrastructure, with reports from ABC 33/40 indicating an expected annual savings of $50,000 to $100,000, which the department hopes will help stabilize water rates.
Alabaster’s decision follows a major industry shift earlier this year. In March, Central Alabama Water—the state’s largest utility serving 770,000 residents—also ended fluoride addition. That move triggered significant public outcry and legal action from the city of Birmingham, though a Jefferson County judge ultimately lifted a temporary order that had required the utility to keep the systems running in April, as previously reported.
Public reaction
Reaction from the community has been sharply divided. Some residents and industry professionals, such as Wade Farley, voiced support for the move based on professional experience in water chemistry. Others, like Viviann Casey, expressed deep frustration, arguing the change was made without sufficient public input and could negatively impact dental health for children.
For those concerned about dental health, the Alabaster Water Department recommends consulting with a private healthcare provider to discuss alternative fluoride options. 205focus.com reached out to the department for further comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
