The Sheridan City Council Monday night listened to a room full of people give their opinion on fluoridating the public water system. The debate started with local dentists and physicians offering their support for the idea with an array of statistics showing the benefit of fluoridation. After hearing from the proponents of the idea, the Council listened to a handful of those against fluoridation, who cited that fluoride is a toxin and that the government shouldn’t be making that type of decision for the people it governs.
One of those who showed up to offer their support was Wyoming Department of Health Director Dr. Brent Sherard.
Sherard says that the Council’s decision will aid in making Wyoming a healthier state in the long run.
Sheridan Mayor Dave Kinskey pointed out that this isn’t something that is going to happen overnight, stating that the fluoride feed system wouldn’t be installed until the cryptosporidium upgrades are done to the Big Goose Water Treatment and the Sheridan Water Treatment Plants. Those upgrades are federally mandated and need to be completed by 2013.
The current level of fluoride found in Sheridan’s water supply is 0.3, which is far less than the CDC recommended level of 1 milligram per liter that is suitable for public consumption.