Ability To End Fluoridation Of Dade Water Is Still In Hands Of Citizens
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
The Sentinel last wrote about the fluoridation of our water supply in the March 22, 2023, edition. Eight individuals and one organization commented on the online version of the article expressing their fervent desire for the end of water fluoridation, and the Sentinel has continued to hear from a few individuals about the topic since then. The Sentinel has not heard from anyone who supports fluoridation of water.
With RFK Jr. (Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services) bringing fluoride front and center in national conversations over the last few months, the Dade County Water and Sewer Authority has, unsurprisingly, fielded more questions about the issue.
At the board’s April 29 meeting, Elizabeth Zeller (general manager) reported that citizens have been asking how to end fluoridation here in Dade. (The meeting was moved to a week later than its usual fourth Tuesday of each month slot.)
Nothing has changed since the 2023 article; ending the practice is still in the hands of citizens. Eddie Cantrell (board chair) said, “There’s absolutely nothing we can do about it. This change has to come through a petition, a vote in the county.”
However, he added, “I would not be surprised if the federal government eventually says, ‘Get it out of the water.’”
Per O.C.G.A. 12-5-175, for a water company to stop fluoridation, citizens must start a petition. This petition cannot be initiated by the water authority. The number of signatures needed is ten percent of the registered voters who voted in the last general election. The November 2024 election drew 8,247 Dade voters, so the petition would need 825 signatures.
Then, the county commission must place the issue on the ballot for the next regularly scheduled election. If a majority of voters support removing fluoride, the water company can stop adding fluoride to our water supply.
A portion of the state code in question reads, “The Board of Natural Resources shall have the power to require, by regulation, fluoridation of potable public water supplies in incorporated communities.”
The Sentinel asked if this means that the unincorporated portion of the county (outside of the Trenton city limits) should not have fluoridated water. Zeller explained that because it’s one water supply, the unincorporated area is automatically affected by what applies to the incorporated area.
In other news, Zeller reported that the Lake Hills water issues seem to be resolved. Since the last board meeting, the water company has only received one call. The call was about low pressure, but it was on a day when fire hydrants were being tested, so Zeller believes that caused the one-time issue.
Customers will also soon be able to receive emergency alerts via texts and/or voice messages. The board approved a $9,000 per year contract with CivicPlus to provide these services (plus a one-time $1,155 set-up fee).
Currently, the water company posts on Facebook when there is a leak or boil advisory. With CivicPlus, customers in the affected area will receive messages. Customers will have the option to opt out of the automated messages, but they can sign up again at any time.
During Citizen Participation, Bill Pullen (District One county commissioner) brought up the potential project through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see the April 16 Sentinel). He asked if the water company/authority had heard any information or had any insight into the project and its potential impact on our water supply.
Cantrell said neither he nor Zeller nor Frank Hawkins (plant manager) had been approached about the project. The board did not have any further information about the project.
