7 pm Meeting, May 9
City Hall Council Chambers
980 Applegate Street

According to City News Spring Newsletter:

A Chance to Have Your Say
FLUORIDE IN YOUR DRINKING WATER – A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

The City Council is inviting citizens’ comments on the City’s present practice of adding fluoride to Philomath’s drinking water. The inclusion of fluoride in public water systems has been an accepted practice by municipalities for decades and one that Philomath has participated in since the mid-1980s. Proponents of fluoridation point to its ability to help prevent tooth decay in young children. Opponents in recent years have claimed that such conclusions are not that evident, better options to provide young children with preventative care are available and that the City should not be adding any chemicals to the water system other than what is necessary to purify the water.

The Federal Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently recommended a lower level of fluoridation for public water systems that Philomath has incorporated in its water treatment practices. Philomath’s water supply has a naturally occurring amount of fluoridation but it must be supplemented to reach the recommended levels.

Prior to taking any further action on this matter, the City Council is providing a public comment period. Citizens may share their thoughts by:

• Email to the City Manager at philomath.admin@ci.philomath.or.us

• Written letter to the Mayor & City Council at PO Box 400, Philomath, OR 97370

• Attending the April 11 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall

A good amount of literature both for and against fluoridation is available on the internet and citizens are encouraged to study the issue in order to help develop an opinion on this matter prior to commenting.

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Accordng to Council Minutes of February 14

Public Works Committee – Councilor Sloan … stated the Water Conservation Plan will be forwarded to the Council as will the fencing standards. He stated the Committee began discussions about whether to continue fluoridation in the water. There was further discussion about the amount of data to be reviewed both pro and con for the fluoridation issue. Mayor Schaudt questioned if Westech Engineering would be weighing in on this issue. Mr. Fear didn’t believe they would beyond the injection equipment impact. Councilor Sloan stated he would appreciate a study that defined why the City should continue to fluoridate the water.

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