Motion at the City Council meeting of 2025-03-18 (vote 8): direct staff to continue the fluoridation capital project which will continue the practice of fluoridation of the potable water system by using 0.7 parts per million, with discussion. L Councilmember Hearn reiterated that he is hesitant to move forward with committing such a large amount of money to this equipment if the State decides to ban it Agenda item: 3. Direction regarding fluoridation of the Potable Water System. (2025-231) Result: CARRIED 4-1 Moved by Mike Blake; seconded by Patricia Weeks. Voted yes: Mike Blake, Patricia Weeks, Alex Goins, Lavander Hearn Voted no: Lorraine Koss

[…] “I'm here to express support for community water fluoridation. The preponderance of current evidence shows that water fluoridation is” […] “Studies that show potential harm use fluoride levels well above the recommended level of water fluoridation recommended in the u.s even so these studies are not ignored by the medical and dental communities. They're evaluated and often lead to new studies. Numerous recent studies published” […] “showed no IQ deficits when consuming fluoridated water at levels recommended or at the at the optimal recommended levels. Removal of fluoride from water has been shown to increase cavities in kids. Water fluoridation is a proven method to improve the oral health of communities, not just those that can afford dental treatment. i urge the council to vote in support of community water fluoridation, a measure that's supported by nearly every health organization in the world.” […]

[…] “I'm here this evening to talk about fluoride. But before I start, I'd like to thank the members of this council for volunteering their time and efforts to serve this community. What exactly is fluoride and why is there so much controversy about it? The problem is we don't talk honestly. So let's talk honestly. Contrary to popular belief, fluoride is not an essential nutrient. Fluoride is not a vitamin. You don't get cavities because you have a fluoride deficiency in your body. Let me say that another way. No disease, not even tooth decay, is caused by a fluoride deficiency. The fluoride that's in our public water supply is a chemical. It is a medication and it is a drug. The FDA recognizes that fluoride is a drug. Its official designation is a new, unapproved drug when it is used to prevent disease.” […]

[…] “For those who want to remove fluoride, they likely have the luxury of deciding whether to get fluoride through their dentist or through supplementing water at home. That's not the case for everyone. If people want to have a choice, those who do not want fluoride in their water can purchase purchase fluoride free bottled water or filter their water at home. If you do not personally understand the research regarding what fluoride why fluoride is important in our drinking water, I ask that you not make an emotional or political decision about this service. The addition of fluoride to our drinking water has been a tremendous community health success. To remove it would burden individuals as well as our community and providing care to those affected. The bottom line is removing fluoride from our drinking water will hurt kids who may have no other protection from dental disease.” […]

[…] “Specifically, the petition did claim that studies of fluoride exposed human populations have consistently found that those persons exposed to water fluoride levels below the current maximum contaminant level goal of four milligrams per liter which is set by the EPA's office of water have lower than average IQs additionally the petition claimed there are links between fluoride fluoridated water, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and fluoridated water, and hyper hypothyroidism. after careful consideration the EPA denied the petition finding that the petition did not set forth a scientifically defensible basis to conclude that any persons have suffered neurotoxic harm as a result of exposure to fluoride in the US through the addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water or otherwise from fluoride exposure in the US in reaching this conclusion the EPA found that the petition did not present a well-founded basis upon which to doubt the health” […]

[…] “In a statement by the ADA in 2007, they warned parents they should consider using water that has no or low fluoride in it when making baby formula. The city manager also claimed the CDC is in support of water fluoridation. However, they also issued a statement that claimed in children younger than eight years old, combined fluoride exposure from all sources, water, food, toothpaste, mouth rinse, and other products contributed to enamel fluorosis. The World Health Organization tackled the issue of water fluoridation in a 134-page book called Fluoride in Drinking Water. This book discusses the problems of overexposure to fluoride in the body and even has nine different plans and procedures for removing fluoride from the water.” […] “is generally lower than the rates here in the U.S. The U.S. is one of 26 worldwide countries that actively fluoridates water and has more people drinking this water than the other 25 countries combined.” […]

[…] practice: A European Story separating myths from reality. 3. Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and Cognitive Outcomes in Children at 4 and 6–12 Years of Age in Mexico | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 125, No. 9 4. Association Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy and IQ Scores in Offspring in Canada - PubMed 5. Urinary fluoride levels and metal co-exposures among pregnant women in Los Angeles, California - PMC 6. Association of water fluoride and urinary fluoride concentrations with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Canadian youth - PubMed 7. Prenatal fluoride exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children at 6–12 years of age in Mexico City - ScienceDirect 8. Fluoride exposure during pregnancy from a community water supply […]

Today, fluoride is widely available from multiple sources, including topical fluorides, such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, and fluoride applications by dental providers. Evidence shows fluoride strengthens teeth, making them more decay resistant. However, additional research is being conducted to review the impacts of overall fluoride exposure in the population. Several studies have reviewed fluoride exposure in vulnerable populations: • A Mexico City, Mexico, study published in 2017 found that prenatal fluoride exposure was associated with lower IQ in both boys and girls ages six to twelve. Similarly, a nationwide Canadian study found that higher maternal urinary fluoride in pregnancy was associated with reduced IQ in boys ages three to four. The fluoride exposure levels in these studies are comparable to those […]

[…] System. Previously, the state and federal recommendations were to maintain fluoride levels at 0.7 milligrams per liter. Note, the current EPA Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) is 4.0 mg/l with a non-enforceable recommended Secondary Standard of 2.0 mg/l. The State Surgeon General is now recommending that water systems not be fluoridized. These new guidelines are attached for your review. For the past two years, the City has not infused fluoride into the water system since our fluoridation equipment reached the end of its useful life. The fluoride level in our water from our Annual Water Quality Report 2023 was reported as the average highest concentration of 0.13 and a range of 0.13 - 0.19. The concentrations reported are from naturally occurring […]

[…] community water fluoridation due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure. Fluoride is a naturally occurring ion present in groundwater, fresh and salt water, rainwater, soil, plants, and foods. Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to the level recommended to prevent tooth decay. Historically, community water fluoridation was considered to be a method to systemically, through ingestion, deliver fluoride to all community members. However, currently many municipalities across the U.S. and several European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Sweden, have eliminated water fluoridation.

[…] dosing such as chlorine and ammonia, allows better control of fluoride dosing into the finished water. • Eliminates safety concerns with the existing fluoride system containment area which requires confined space entry to operate or maintain equipment A location for a new fluoride system was identified near the finished water facilities. This solution was acceptable to the City and requested to be included in this project scope of work. Scope of Work Jacobs will provide engineering services to design the new fluoride system and modifications to the original carbon dioxide feed system scope of work including the following: • Fluoride containment structure and aluminum canopy • Fluoride storage tank, feed skid, piping, valves, power and instrumentation • Fluoride yard piping […]