The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has announced that Commissioner Sid Miller has urged Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature to prioritize a statewide ban on non-water additives in public water. This announcement was made through a press release on February 5, 2025.
According to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, he supports states like Florida, Utah, and Tennessee that have enacted bans on water additives. He emphasized the importance of "preserving our water supply" and ensuring its purity. Miller said that private businesses and the public should retain the right to sell and purchase water with additives but stressed the need to eliminate "forced government health decisions" allowing chemicals like fluoride in public water. Citing cities such as Abilene, he stated that Texans deserve access to "clean, unaltered water" free from additives they did not choose.
"A fundamental American value is the freedom of choice," said Miller. "This is why I call on Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature to prioritize a statewide ban on non-water additives, such as fluoride, in our public water." He added that while efforts are underway to expand and improve aging water infrastructure amid a growing water crisis, it is crucial to address the issue of using this infrastructure as a delivery system for government-mandated chemicals without public consent.
The TDA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1907 and works to support production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development, and healthy living. Headquartered in Austin, it operates five regional service offices, two sub-offices, three laboratories, and five livestock export facilities.
Miller serves as the 12th Texas Agriculture Commissioner. An eighth-generation farmer and rancher born in De Leon, Texas, he graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in Vocational Ag Education. He served in the Texas House of Representatives starting in 2000 before being elected Agriculture Commissioner in 2014; he was re-elected in 2018 and 2022.
