The City of Milton will stop adding fluoride to its water supply.

The City Council voted 7-0 Monday night to end fluoridation. The city of 6,025 residents began adding the chemical to its water on March 8 and spent about $82,897 to install the system.

Although the city was eligible for $47,040 from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to help cover the cost of fluoridation, it won’t receive that money now, said health director Dr. Federico Cruz-Uribe.

The health department in 2002 ordered Milton and other large water suppliers to install fluoridation equipment. Health officials said the move was necessary to help combat tooth decay and oral diseases among the more than 238,000 county residents – especially children – whose water was not treated with the chemical.

But the state Supreme Court threw out the order last May.

Councilman Bob Whalen said Milton residents opposed fluoride in their drinking water. He said residents resented the county order, and view fluoridation as forced medication.

Mayor Katrina Asay said it will take about five days to get fluoride out of city water.

The City of Sumner last month also stopped adding fluoride to its water.

Cruz-Uribe said his department will propose a revised order Oct. 6 to force fluoridation in local communities including Milton, Sumner, Puyallup, Edgewood, Bonney Lake, Parkland and Spanaway.

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