After a lengthy period of unreliable fluoride levels, Bloomington citizens can now sip on consistently fluoridated drinking water. The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) has announced the installation of a new temporary fluoridation system at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant, which finally went online on January 28. This update follows a series of failed systems that have plagued the city's water supply since late 2019.
According to a Bloomington press release, the problems began when leaks were found in the chemical storage tank designed for fluoride delivery. This led to a patchwork of temporary solutions, which, while intended as stopgap measures, ended up increasing operational costs and introducing safety risks. When the tank was relined in 2022, issues persisted, forcing CBU to discontinue supplemental fluoride feed altogether.
Recognizing the limitations of these past solutions, the current administration, led by Mayor Kerry Thomson, directed CBU to develop a sustainable approach that would prevent future disruptions. The new system uses smaller modular tanks, which Utilities Director Katherine Zaiger explains, "meaningfully addresses a community concern while strengthening the overall reliability of the fluoride delivery system." Zaiger also acknowledged the hard work and problem-solving skills of CBU staff in a statement obtained by Bloomington News.
Fluoride transparency suffered in 2022 and 2023 after omissions in the city’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). To improve communication, CBU will present the CCR annually to the Utilities Service Board, as approved in Resolution 2025-14 last July. The press release noted the need for clearer reporting.
Bloomington’s actions show the city’s commitment to fluoride for dental health, particularly for children and underserved populations. The temporary system is now fully operational, keeping water levels within public health guidelines until a permanent system is installed. Residents can get updates by contacting [email protected].
