Water being supplied by the Sacramento County Water Agency will be treated with fluoride beginning late summer or early fall.

Mark Madison, general manager of the Elk Grove Water Service, announced this action to the agency’s board.

The county supplies water to the Elk Grove Water Service in Area Two, which is located east of Waterman Road to Grant Line Road and most of the water service between Bond and Sheldon roads.

The water provided by the Elk Grove Water Service in their older areas between Highway 99 and Waterman Road will not have fluoridation.

The county also provides water to a major part of the city of Elk Grove west of Highway 99 to the Sacramento city limits on the north.

It is expected there will be no charge for the first two years for fluoridation, as a grant will cover the costs.

In January 2008, the First 5 Sacramento Commission awarded a $6 million grant to fund the fluoridation of the county water agency’s system. The project is now in the construction phase in 35 areas including Elk Grove, Mather, Rancho Cordova, Arden Park, Walnut Grove and Hood.

The latest engineers’ estimates for this project is $9.62 million and it is expected that the county’s water rates will be increased to cover the additional amount required completing the project.

Because the county provides wholesale water to the Elk Grove Water District including Service Area Two, approximately a third of the Elk Grove customers will begin receiving fluoridated water in late August.

The county is required by a 1995 state law to fluoridate its water system.

“The county’s grant will cover the first two years, cost of fluoridation. It is unknown how the county will pay for operations and maintenance of the fluoridation following the two-year agreement, and these costs are expected to be approximately $1 million annually. It has also been calculated that these costs translate to approximately $1.57 per month per connection,” Madison said.

He said the fluoridation equipment will be installed and operational around August of this year.

The new operation, however, will require an amendment to the county water system permit issued by the Department of Health Services. The amendment is scheduled to be submitted this month and is expected the review will be completed this summer.

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