An EPA inspection resulting in a potentially costly analysis lead the Lodi Common Council on Tuesday to agree to cease fluoridation of city water.
According to a resolution drafted by the Lodi city staff, an EPA inspection in January revealed that fluoride and chlorine had been stored together in all three well houses, which is not allowed by federal code.
The cost estimate to arrange separate storage of the two chemicals was estimated between $521,800 and $637,700, which was cited as the basis for the Public Works and Utilities Committee recommending that the full board vote to discontinue water fluoridation.
Council President Rich Stevenson explained that maintaining fluoridation would require building separate containment with new equipment.
“What we have found is that the majority of municipalities have eliminated the fluoridation requirements,” said Stevenson. “Fluoridation is not something that is really needed anymore since so much of the fluoridation is in toothpastes and everything else.”
In 1962 the U.S. Public Health Service began recommending addition of fluoride to tap water to reduce the incidence and severity of dental issues, particularly in children, according to the National Institutes of Health, Department of Dietary Supplements. In lieu of fluoridated water, pediatricians or dentists commonly prescribe daily liquid drops or chewable fluoride tablets for young children.
In the meeting Stevenson specifically deferred to Alder Dennis Crow, Sr., who said the the change would certainly be a cost-saving move.
“They would have to go through putting in ventilation in separate rooms,” said Crow. “I think long term the biggest cost savings would be the chemical and monitoring, and less issues with meters.”
Mayor Ann Groves Lloyd also noted that she had received two comments from the public supporting discontinuation of fluoridation.
The resolution for discontinuation was then approved by a unanimous vote.
Original article online at: https://www.hngnews.com/lodi_enterprise/news/government/lodi-to-cease-fluoridation-of-city-water/article_095ab574-444c-11ef-9840-67d936bb76dc.html