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Oldsmar halts fluoride orders ahead of Florida’s SB 700 preemption
Summary
The council approved a transition strategy on May 20, 2025, to stop ordering hydrofluosilicic acid (HFS) and remove fluoride from the city's water supply before July 1, 2025, in response to Florida Senate Bill 700.
The Oldsmar City Council approved a transition strategy on May 20, 2025, to stop future orders of hydrofluosilicic acid (HFS) and allow the city's current supply to run out before the July 1 preemption date in Florida Senate Bill 700.
City Manager Felicia Donnelly explained that Senate Bill 700 includes a provision ‘‘that it prohibits the use of any additive in the public water system which does not meet the definition of a water quality additive’’ and staff therefore recommended canceling future orders of HFS ‘‘in order to reduce the amount of this chemical that will be need to be removed and minimize the cost of removal.’’ Donnelly noted the city has used 23% HFS at the RO treatment plant and described HFS as ‘‘highly caustic and expensive to remove.’’
A motion to approve the transition strategy was made, seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. During discussion a council member who toured the RO plant asked whether equipment removed now could be reinstalled in future; staff replied the system could be returned to fluoridation if the council later directed it, though that would require reinstalling equipment.
The decision directs staff to avoid new HFS purchases and to let city supply run out in June, before the state preemption date of July 1, 2025. The council’s action is a procedural compliance step to align local operations with the newly enacted state law.
