Three Southwest Washington cities consider removing fluoride from drinking water

Longview, Camas and Battle Ground will soon decide whether health concerns about adding fluoride to their city drinking water outweigh the oral health benefits of the cavity-fighting mineral. Longview city councilors will weigh the benefits and risks of fluoride in drinking water on Thursday during a public debate-style workshop that’s set to last several hours. […]

BG City Council workshop leads to fluoride debate

The Battle Ground City Council faced pushback from some locals following a workshop on Jan. 6 addressing the city’s practice of using fluoride in its water supply. The workshop was prompted by a heightened national focus on fluoride in drinking water following a federal court ruling that ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reassess […]

Water fluoridation returns to the news, with Bremerton’s history of debate a backdrop

In April 1997, the Bremerton City Council approved adding fluoride to the city’s water system after a group of residents identified children’s dental health as a major issue there. Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island and many other American water providers started fluoridating their water over the previous half-century. Extensive evidence showed it reduced cavities […]

As debate over fluoride returns, Gig Harbor remains a rare city without it

In April 1997, the Bremerton City Council approved adding fluoride to the city’s water system after a group of residents identified children’s dental health as a major issue there. Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island and many other American water providers started fluoridating their water over the previous half-century. Extensive evidence showed it reduced cavities […]

City of Aberdeen discontinues fluoridation of water supply

The city of Aberdeen issued a “community alert” Monday at 4 p.m. on their official website stating: “Added Fluoride removed from City Water. Effective Jan.6, 2025 — Per Ordinance 6721, Passed by the City Council on Dec. 11, 2024, fluoride is no longer being added to the City water system.” This cessation of fluoridation will […]

City of Chehalis considers discontinuing water fluoridation

Water fluoridation is the process of adding fluoride to a public water supply in order to help prevent tooth decay. It started in the U.S. in the 1940s after scientists noticed populations living in areas with naturally occurring fluoride in the water were developing fewer cavities. Recently, with many newer dental products containing fluoride, some […]

Anti-fluoride protest at Lynden City Council meeting

LYNDEN — On July 15, dozens gathered outside of the Lynden City Annex building to protest Mayor Scott Korthuis’s July 1 decision to veto council’s decision to end the addition of fluoride into the city’s water supply. Just after the meeting started, council heard public comment from two of the protestors. Original article online at: […]