Ocala looking to repeal fluoride requirement from city law in light of removal from water supply

The city of Ocala will look to repeal its fluoridation ordinance next week in response to the state’s prohibition of the use of fluoride and other additives into public water systems.

An ordinance to repeal the city’s fluoridation requirement will be introduced into city record during the Ocala City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, June 3.

Earlier this month, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new “Florida Farm Bill” into law. Among other measures, the law includes provisions banning medical additives to public water systems. It has an effective date of July 1, 2025.

According to a memo prepared by city staff, the city’s code of ordinances has had a requirement that fluoride be added to its municipal drinking water since 1961. At the end of April, the city ended this decades-old practice.

Codified as section 70-371, the last time the provision for fluoride was previously amended was during a city council meeting in June 2019.

Ocala-News.com covered that meeting in 2019, reporting that the Ocala City Council approved the fluoride amendment after multiple residents shared their opinions both in favor and against the practice.

Now, the city will look to repeal the measure to comply with the recently passed state law that redefines “water quality additives,” effectively removing fluoride from the previous list.

The new law defines “water quality additive” as any chemical, additive, or substance that is used in a public water system for the purpose of meeting or surpassing primary or secondary drinking water standards, preventing/reducing/removing contaminants, or improving water quality.

“In order to bring the Code of Ordinances, City of Ocala, Florida into compliance with this new Florida law, it is necessary to amend Section 70-371 to repeal its fluoridation requirement,” reads the city staff report.

After the first reading on Tuesday, the ordinance will have a second and final reading on Tuesday, June 17. During that meeting, the Ocala City Council will issue a final vote on the matter.

Ocala’s Water Treatment Plant has been in operation since 1972, with a second plant in the works. That plant produces an average of 12 million gallons per day and is monitored 24 hours a day by licensed, trained operators.

What are your thoughts about fluoride? Share them in a comment below or, if you have more to say, write a letter to the editor.

The Ocala City Council next meets on Tuesday, June 3, at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).