Fluoride Removed from Miami-Dade County Water Supply

At the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD), protecting public health and ensuring the safety of our community remains our highest priority. We are committed to providing safe, reliable drinking water to our more than 2.8 million residents in Miami-Dade County, which include your residents.

Since 1958, in alignment with guidance from medical and public health professionals, the Department has added fluoride to the drinking water as a longstanding preventive measure to help reduce tooth decay and support oral health.

Good oral hygiene is vital not only to dental health but also to overall wellbeing. Poor oral health has been linked to broader health issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and can also have economic and educational impacts on families and children. Dentists and doctors widely recognize fluoridation as a proven, safe way to protect oral health for children and adults, particularly for families with limited access to dental care.

However, following a recent decision by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners directing the County to end fluoridation (Resolution R-370-25), the Department has stopped adding fluoride during water treatment effective May 29, 2025. This local policy change also follows recent state legislation (Senate Bill 700) which directs all Florida water utilities to suspend fluoridation beginning July 1, 2025. While fluoride will no longer be added during treatment, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and trace amounts will remain in the water due to its natural presence in the groundwater source.

As this public health practice comes to an end following the Board of County Commissioners’ decision, we encourage residents to remain vigilant in maintaining oral health through other means.  As this public health practice comes to an end following the Board of County Commissioners’ decision, we encourage residents to remain vigilant in maintaining oral health through other means. Fluoride is available in other forms such as toothpaste and topical treatments, although experts tell us these are not full supplements for water fluoridation. We recommend consulting your dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about fluoride or your dental health. Additional resources are available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA).

As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and trust, each year the Department produces an annual Consumer Confidence Report that provides a summary of the quality of the drinking water we produce and deliver across the County. This report includes information about our water sources, treatment processes, and the results of more than 150,000 water quality tests conducted each year to ensure compliance with federal and state standards.

If you have questions or concerns about your drinking water, you can contact us at 786-552-4738 if you live north of Southwest Eighth Street or 786-552-4181 if you live south of Southwest Eighth Street. Our certified laboratory staff is available to respond and perform on-site water quality testing upon request.

We take great pride in serving you and remain committed to delivering safe, reliable water every day.

Sincerely,

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department