There will soon be a little something added to the water supply of customers of the Northern Area Water Authority treatment which serves Tipp City, Monroe Township and Vandalia.

City Council voted unanimously Monday night to add enough fluoride to the water supply to raise the level to 1 milligram per liter. City Manager David Collinsworth said the city is mandated by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) to fluoridate its water supply because it has more than 5,000 residents.

The level is recommended by the state Environmental Protection Agency.

There still, however, may be a loophole if enough residents want to defy the ORC.

City Attorney Joseph Moore said Tipp City residents passed a referendum in 1970 which allowed the city to opt out of putting fluoride in the water. That action, 37 years ago, now gives residents a right to pass a referendum to continue opting out of the fluoride program.

“The referendum would override the ORC,” Moore said.

Chuck Smith, a Tipp City dentist, said the program was a good way to help improve the dental health of poorer children who can’t seek proper care.

Water was also the subject of a work session prior to Monday night’s meeting as Collinsworth gave a three-year review of the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center. He said revenues for 2007 were $369,225 with expenses being $407,062. In 2006 revenues totaled $374,353 while expenses were $382,122. …

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