The St. Clair County Health Department has released a draft regulation governing fluoride added to community water supplies and is seeking public input before county officials consider adopting it.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. July 28, 2026, in the Board of Commissioners Room on the second floor of the St. Clair County Administration Building, 200 Grand River Ave., Port Huron. Members of the public will be able to comment.
No vote will be taken at that meeting.
In a statement provided to the Times Herald, the St. Clair County Health Department said the draft is available for public review and encouraged residents to provide feedback through the July 28 hearing or by submitting written comments, which will be considered as part of the review process.
The proposed regulation would establish a framework tied to federal health-based fluoride standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under the proposal, community water systems serving St. Clair County residents would need to either remain at or below the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), the federal health-based target level where no known harm is expected or notify the Health Department if they choose to exceed that level.
The draft states it would not prohibit fluoridation and would not require immediate changes to current practices.
If the EPA lowers its health-based fluoride standard in the future, water systems would have 90 days to either comply with the revised level or provide written notice that they intend to continue adding fluoride above that level.
The proposal would require the Health Department to make that information publicly available and provide educational materials outlining potential health risks identified by the EPA.
The regulation would apply only to fluoride intentionally added to drinking water and would not require removal of naturally occurring fluoride except where already required by state or federal law.
In the findings section, the Health Department cites scientific studies, federal reviews and court decisions examining potential health effects, including research involving children and other vulnerable populations and ongoing EPA review of fluoride standards.
The draft also acknowledges fluoridation’s role in preventing tooth decay and notes that community water fluoridation is supported by organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association.
The proposal would be enforced by the Health Department, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $500 per day.
Written comments may be submitted in person, by mail or by email to healthdept@stclaircounty.org and must be received before or at the hearing.
At least 20 days after the hearing, the proposal could be submitted to the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners for consideration. The draft may be amended based on public comments received during the review process. If approved, the regulation would take effect 45 days after approval unless commissioners establish a different effective date.
The draft regulation is available online and can also be reviewed in person at the St. Clair County Health Department, 220 Fort St., Port Huron, during regular business hours.
What Happens Next
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Draft fluoride rule released ahead of St. Clair County public hearing
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
