Residents in DuBois are raising questions as to whether or not fluoride should continue to be in the city’s water.

DuBois city manager, Herm Suplizio said that fluoride has been in the water since 1964.

Suplizio said recently, residents have been addressing city officials expressing concerns stating fluoride is not healthy to have in the water.

“It seems like it’s a controversial item right now for some people.  Not everybody but for some people, we have some people coming in all the time stating, ‘take it out of the system, it’s no good, it’s a poison,'” Suplizio said.

Currently, DuBois water comes from the DuBois reservoir.

The reservoir holds up to 615 million gallons of water.

From there, the water is treated at the DuBois water treatment facility.

The water is used by more than 17,000 people.

“There are numerous studies that show how effective it is for the reduction of tooth decay,” said dentist Dr.Thomas Petraitis.

Petraitis has been a dentist for 31 years and said that fluoride is not dangerous.

“It has worked for us forever.  It shows a 20 to 40 percent reduction in tooth decay.  We are going to regress in terms of public health if it is taken out of our water,” Petraitis said.

“If you look across the country, I would say the majority of the communities that have a water system do put it in the system,” said Suplizio.

City officials will continue to hear suggestions from residents.

Suplizio said that there is the possibility that this could be on the election ballot.

Suplizio said that likely will not happen this year.

“It’s up to the residents.  If the residents want to put it on the ballot and it gets voted out I am sure the city fathers would choose to take it out,” he said.

Anyone who wants the water fluoridation issue placed on the ballot can contact the Department of State at  717-787-5280.