The city of San Diego will not add fluoride to water as scheduled Wednesday, it was announced.

Officials planned to increase the fluoride levels in the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Imperial Beach. Arian Collins, of the city Public Utilities Department, said Tuesday no new date has been set.

“The staff just felt we needed more testing and training before we start the process,” Collins said.

Fluoride is an additive that has gone into water in many areas for decades. It occurs in naturally in small amounts, and some is added to water imported to San Diego. However, more is required to meet standards of the state Department of Public Health.

Supporters say fluoride is critical to the dental health of children, while some activists claim fluoride is linked to cancer.

The smaller cities involved in the plan receive their water from the city of San Diego.

San Diego’s water system was exempted from the state regulations until sufficient outside funding could be secured to add fluoride. Funding was obtained from the First 5 Commission of San Diego County, which offered over $3.9 million to operate and maintain three water treatment plants.

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