Utah recently became the first U.S. state to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, a decision that will take effect in May. The legislation also prevents local governments from enacting their own fluoridation ordinances.
This move aligns with increased skepticism about water fluoridation, particularly from figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed concerns about its potential health risks. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is reconvening a task force to re-evaluate fluoride recommendations. Additionally, Kennedy Jr. plans to advise the CDC to cease recommending fluoridation, and the EPA plans to review the scientific evidence regarding fluoride's health impacts.
Report Shows Colorado River Basin States Underuse Wastewater Recycling
A report by UCLA and the Natural Resources Defense Council reveals that states in the Colorado River Basin are underutilizing wastewater recycling, worsening the region's water crisis.
Only 26% of treated municipal wastewater is reused across the seven states, despite the river supplying water to over 40 million people, according to the report. Significant disparities exist, with Nevada and Arizona recycling over 50% of their wastewater, while other states like Utah recycle less than 1%.
US Water Alliance Shares Value of Water Index Survey Results
A decade ago, the US Water Alliance began polling American voters to better understand their opinions on our nation’s water systems. It recently shared the results of its 10th annual Value of Water Index, which sheds light on some of this moment’s most pressing and relevant water issues.
From voter sentiment on federal support for water systems to the percentage of Americans who have recently faced water service disruptions due to extreme weather, these results provide insights that have strong implications for water-related policy, communications, programming and more.
