Water utility announces it's ditching fluoride—then reveals it did so years ago

A water utility publicly announced it would remove fluoride from its supply in a February 2026 press release—then admitted the change had actually taken effect in late 2023, leaving 340,000 residents unknowingly without fluoride for over two years. The belated disclosure differs sharply from #5's transparent regulatory practices, which mandate immediate notification for water alterations. The utility offered no explanation for the delay, raising concerns about accountability and public trust. With dental health spending in the affected county already rising 18% since 2023, the secrecy may have compounding consequences for vulnerable populations reliant on fluoridated water.