Tennessee Utility District Considers Removing Fluoride From Water Supply

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

Woodlawn Utility District (WUD) in western Montgomery County, which serves approximately 4,000 households in the county, has proposed to stop adding fluoride to its water supply by January 31, 2025.

Should they enact this proposal, the WUD will join three other rural utility providers in Montgomery County who provide fluoride-free water, though the urban utilities of Clarksville Gas & Water and Jacobs Fort Campbell Water System still fluoridate in their jurisdictions.

While this change will theoretically save the WUD money as they will no longer need to purchase the fluoride, the company is also reportedly considering the switch for health reasons.

WUD Operator Paul Clay said, “From all the new medical studies, it seems we’re getting a lot of overfeed in fluoride. We’re getting it in toothpaste, mouthwash, food, you also have raw water having fluoride in it without us adding to it.” 

The debate about the efficacy and safety of fluoride in tap water supplies has existed for some time but recently has become a more mainstream issue, particularly with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s outspoken advocacy against it he prepares to work in President Trump’s administration as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Fluoride does naturally occur in very small amounts in almost all water sources and is not necessary to make water safely drinkable, but most municipalities across the country add large doses to supposedly help aid in the prevention of tooth decay, though copious studies have linked fluoride to numerous health issues including lower IQ levels in children and severe neurotoxicity, amongst others.

However, some local dentists and authorities disagree with these scientific assessments.

Clarksville dentist Dr. Leon Stanislav believes it is “unlikely” people are consuming too much fluoride and that the standards and testing conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American National Standards Institute are “strict”, despite a recent ruling from a federal judge ordering the EPA to conduct a risk assessment and begin the process of strengthening fluoride regulations.

Commissioner John J. Dreyzehner of the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) also approves of Tennessee’s water standards and stated that he thinks, “Seventy-two years of intensive scientific research with water fluoridation in the United States and 66 in Tennessee have proven community water fluoridation is safe and effective,” referencing the Community Water Fluoridation page on the TDH website, which promotes CDC and ADA data and guidelines.

The WUD will host a public board meeting where residents may hear more information about the fluoride removal proposal and ask questions on Tuesday, December 17^th, at 7:30 AM at 2172 Woodlawn Road. 

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.