Lakewood water users will decide in a fall election whether to comply with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s fluoridation mandate.

The Lakewood Water District board of commissioners agreed to allow its Lakewood customers to vote on whether to add fluoride to their water. Many health experts say the additive prevents tooth decay.

The district will install the necessary equipment to its water system if voters approve the fluoridation requirement.

If voters reject the Health Department’s mandate, district officials said, they will challenge whether the department has the authority to require fluoridation.

The Health Department board in April decided to require all county water systems serving 5,000 or more people to add fluoride to their water.

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