Tampa Bay governments that have long added to the public water systems are now allowing them to offer the mineral to run out before a new state ban.
A law approved by Governor Ron Desantis last month requires municipalities to cease to add fluent Public drinking water systems until July 1st. According to US Disease Control and Prevention CentersAdding fluoride to public drinking water helps prevent cavities and the wear of the teeth.
Here It is when the inhabitants of some of the cities and counties of Tampa Bay can expect to exhaust the added fluoride.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg announced on Tuesday that it will stop adding fluoride to the public drinking water system next week.
“Although this change is beyond our control, I would like to emphasize that it will not affect the safety or quality of our water, which continues to meet/exceed all federal and state standards,” writes Mayor Ken Welch in X.
“We understand that some residents may be involved in the loss of fluoridated water and my administration is actively working with Community partners to provide resources and support for dental health for residents who are affected and desired.”
Claude Tankersley, public works manager in the city, recently told a reporter that St. Petersburg has stopped buying fluoride pending law. He said the city lets the supply of fluoride to exhaust.
The city has stated that it has for decades adapted levels of fluoride in water supply, as the federal government recommends for optimal dental health.
The announcement noted that state law does not require the removal of natural fluoride. The city said it would continue to monitor these levels to ensure that they remain in safe parameters.
St. Petersburg recommends that residents use toothpaste and mouth rinses With fluoride, take regular dental checks, limit sugary foods and drinks and ask dental professionals about fluoride complementary treatments, if necessary.
Tampa
The Tampa Water Department received the last Mineral Mission on April 4, according to a representative of the Liz Hall department.
The city expects to exhaust its fluoride until June 30, he said.
“The Tampa Water Department is dedicated to providing high quality pure drinking water that meets all federal and state regulations,” Hall said. “We encourage anyone who has questions about their dental health after this new regulation to speak directly with their dentist.”
Hillsborough
Hillsborough Water Treatment Factory in Lithia, one of the four plants of the county, already has He stopped supplying fluoride to the public water supply system, according to the representative of the prefecture Chris Wilkerson.
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The county has also not ordered fluoride since March, Wilkerson said.
County commissioners voted to maintain fluoride in public water supply in February despite the proposal of Commissioner Joshua Wostal to remove it. But the vote soon became questionable with the change of state law.
Porch
The Temple Terrace stopped its fluoridation on May 15, according to the Director of Public Works and Utilities Jason Warrenfeltz.
Pinellas
Pinellas County will stop adding fluoride to the water until July 1 to comply with the new law, the County Communications Director confirmed on Tuesday.
The prefecture began to fluent in its water in 2004, according to its website. Pinellas stopped fluoridation for one year until 2012, but since then he has maintained it in water supply.
Tampa Bay Times won the Pulitzer Award 2013 in the Scripture Constitution For a series of editorials who were reversed in the decision to end water fluorization in Pinellas.
Clear water
One of the three Clearwater water processing plants serving the city center area stopped fluid its water on May 30, according to city spokesman Rob Simpson.
A second factory served by the South Clearwater is expected to be exhausted by the supply of fluoride by June 13, Simpson added. The latest factory serves North Clearwater and does not fluctuate its water, he said.
Clearwater does not plan to buy another fluoride after using its offer.
“The city is dedicated to the production of safe, clean drinking water that meets or exceeds all federal and state security requirements,” Simpson said.
Cotton
Dunedin’s water treatment installation will stop by fluent in its water on June 30, Sue Burness spokesman said. The city has not bought any fluoride in 2025, he added.
While Dunedin will soon stop adding fluoride, Burness noted that state law does not require the city to naturally remove fluoride fluoride in water supply.
“It is important for residents to know that fluoride is a natural ion and minerals found in underground waters and on the Florida aquifer,” Burness said. “Of course fluoride fluoride is in the city of Dunedin drinking water and we plan to continue to monitor its existence in the supply of drinking water.”
Oldsmar
Oldsmar stopped fluctuating its water on June 4, when the offer ran to comply with the new law, according to Johna Jahn, the utility business manager and the Assistant Director of Public Works.
Residents are going to be notified in their account, Jahn wrote in an email statement. The city does not offer health services, but it is recommended that residents can contact healthcare providers for resources.
