Baltimore Reduces Fluoride in Water Due to Supply Chain Disruptions from Iran War

City cites constraints from Middle East conflict as reason to temporarily lower fluoride levels

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:49am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structures of a water treatment plant filter, conveying the complexity of the water system and the challenges posed by supply chain issues.An X-ray view into the inner workings of a municipal water treatment plant, highlighting the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure to global supply chain disruptions.Baltimore Today

The city of Baltimore has announced it will have to reduce the amount of fluoride in its municipal water system due to supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Department of Public Works cited operational impacts on a major fluoride supplier based in Israel as the primary reason for the temporary reduction in fluoride levels.

Why it matters

Fluoride is added to many public water supplies to promote dental health, so this reduction could potentially impact the oral hygiene of Baltimore residents. However, the city has assured that the water will remain safe and meet all quality standards, as fluoride is not a required additive.

The details

Baltimore will lower fluoride levels from about 0.7 milligrams per liter to 0.4 mg per liter at its Ashburton and Montebello filtration plants. Nearby counties in Maryland, including Montgomery and Prince George's, are also temporarily reducing fluoride for their 1.9 million customers due to the same supply chain issues linked to the war and disruptions at a major Israeli supplier.

  • The fluoride reduction will take effect immediately.

The players

Department of Public Works

The city agency responsible for managing Baltimore's water supply and infrastructure.

Matthew Garbark

The Director of the Baltimore Department of Public Works.

WSSC Water

The water utility serving Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, also reducing fluoride levels.

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What they’re saying

“These constraints are part of broader national supply chain disruptions, driven in part by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as well as reduced domestic production and limited output from key international suppliers.”

— Department of Public Works

“A key supplier based in Israel has experienced significant operational disruptions.”

— Department of Public Works

“This is an adjustment driven solely by supply availability. We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water.”

— Matthew Garbark, DPW Director

What’s next

The city has not provided a specific timeline for when fluoride levels may return to normal, stating that the reduction is a temporary measure in response to the supply chain disruptions.

The takeaway

This case highlights how geopolitical conflicts can have far-reaching impacts on essential public services, even in areas unrelated to the conflict itself. It underscores the vulnerability of municipal water systems to global supply chain issues and the need for contingency planning to ensure the continued delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water.