CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some Union County residents no longer have fluoride in their drinking water.

What You Need To Know

  •  Some Union County residents no longer have fluoride in their drinking water after the Board of County Commissioners approved the change

  •  The change comes after some residents shared concerns regarding negative health outcomes from water fluoridation the CDC and dentists say it’s safe and cost-effective against tooth decay

  • The majority of Union County water customers will continue getting fluoridated drinking water from another county plant

In February, the Union County Board of Commissioners voted in favor of ending water fluoridation at the Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant. According to Union County, this change impacts a third of its customers. 

The Catawba River Water Treatment Plant, which is co-owned by Union County and Lancaster County, S.C., will continue adding fluoride to drinking water. 

Commissioners heard from residents on both sides of the issue before making this decision. 

Union County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chairman Brian Helms supported ending water fluoridation.

“For me, it really boils down to a issue of consent, you know. Informed consent should be that we inform folks of what is being put into the water and they ultimately consent to that the same way that you consent for medical treatment or dental treatment. But yet no one's doing that with a public water utility,” Helms said.

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Dr. Meg Lochary at Pediatric Dentistry of Waxhaw spoke against the change. 

“[Fluoride] is especially important in children. They are growing their permanent teeth and it incorporates into the enamel of the permanent teeth and makes them stronger and more health,” Lochary said. 

Some residents expressed concerns over negative health outcomes from water fluoridation. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Lochary said it’s safe and cost-effective against tooth decay. 

“Without fluoride in the water, children are going to have more decay, adults are going to have more decay and it’s especially going to affect children of lower socioeconomic levels and adults with special needs,” Lochary said.

Helms doesn’t share those concerns and reiterated the health and safety of residents remain a priority for the board. 

“I personally don’t have those concerns because fluoride is available in a variety of different substances. The bigger question becomes what are we doing for our dental health besides fluoride?” Helms said. 

Lochary said patients receive a topical fluoride treatment twice a year when they come to the dentist. In addition, fluoride supplements are a possibility for some children but they are not for everyone. 

“If they don’t have any fluoride in their water, I will be able to supplement them. If there’s a chance they can have a mix in their water, I won’t be able to supplement them,” Lochary said. 

The mix of water Lochary is referring to will affect some Union County residents. According to a notice from Union County Water, some customers will receive water from the Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant or the Catawba River Water Treatment Plant and this will vary over time based on demands and maintenance requirements. 

Lochary said too much fluoride can cause brown stains on teeth. 

According to Union County Water, the addition of fluoride is not required by state and federal guidelines.

In North Carolina, water fluoridation varies depending if you live in the county or city. Cities, including Charlotte, Raleigh and Asheville, for example, have water fluoridation. However, some areas in those counties don’t.