 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
public water systems; fluoride; prohibition
Purpose
Requires the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to prohibit adding fluoride into a public water system.
Background
ADEQ administers the state's environmental laws and delegated federal programs and is charged with: 1) formulating policies, plans and programs to implement statute to protect the environment; 2) promoting and coordinating the management of air resources and water quality; and 3) encouraging development that maximizes environmental benefits and minimizes the effects of less desirable environmental conditions. ADEQ is responsible for administering and enforcing the federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act at the statewide level. The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes health standards to ensure that tap water is safe to drink. ADEQ, along with local counties, assesses drinking water sources and reviews the operation and construction of public water systems (A.R.S. Title 49, Chapter 1; ADEQ).
The Director of ADEQ (Director) is responsible for supervising all matters relating to water quality control of public water systems throughout the state. The Director must: 1) prescribe rules regarding the production, treatment, distribution and testing of potable water by public water systems; and 2) adopt rules that prescribe minimum standards for the chemicals, additives and drinking water system components that come into contact with drinking water that is used by any domestic or industrial water supply and that is sold or distributed to the public (A.R.S. Title 49, Chapter 2).
Fluoride is a chemical ion of fluorine that is found in soil, water and many rocks. The U.S. Center for Disease Control does not mandate the addition of fluoride to public water supplies. State and local governments decide whether to implement water fluoridation (CDC).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Director to prescribe rules that prohibit any person, including a political subdivision of the state, from adding fluoride into a public water system or any water that will be introduced into a public water system.
2. Defines fluoride as any chemical compound that contains the fluoride ion, including fluorosilicic acid, sodium fluorosilicate and sodium fluoride.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 16, 2026
AN/TR/ci