- The Somerset Borough Municipal Water Authority unanimously voted to continue adding fluoride to its public drinking water.
- This decision followed a comprehensive review and public discussion with health professionals and community members.
- Advocates argued that water fluoridation is a cost-effective public health measure for preventing tooth decay.
SOMERSET — For the many customers served by Somerset Borough, it was a “successful outcome” regarding the continuation of fluoridation in its drinking water system.
The Somerset Borough Municipal Water Authority has voted unanimously to keep fluoride in its water system.
The authority provides water services to about 6,309 residents living in the Somerset area. The authority manages and finances the water system that primarily serves residents of Somerset Borough and the Somerset Township Municipal Authority’s Oakridge water system. Additionally, the municipal authority provides water services through an agreement with Jefferson Township Municipal Authority.
According to the authority’s recently published minutes: “As part of the due diligence and responsibility to both public health and fiscal stewardship, a comprehensive review took place to review the current fluoridation.”
Then, a motion to maintain the current permit and continue with the fluoridation to the water system was unanimously carried.
“We achieved our goal,” said Skeets Ellis, who, along with other local oral health professionals, PA Coalition for Oral Health representatives and community members, went to the authority and Somerset Council with their request to keep fluoride in the water system when they learned that deleting fluoride was under discussion.
In July, one speaker after another spoke before Somerset Council and municipal authority members, asking them to continue fluoridation in the water system.
Helen Hawkey, executive director, PCOH, complimented the municipal and council members for discussing the possibility of stopping fluoridation of the water system with the public. PCOH is a coalition of leaders from across the state, from schools of public health, philanthropic organizations, businesses, dental organizations, health insurance firms, advocacy organizations and state agencies.
Fluoride in water has protected the oral health of Americans for nearly 80 years by reducing cavities, tooth decay and dental health disparities, she said.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls fluoridation “a cornerstone strategy for prevention of cavities in the U.S. It is a practical, cost-effective, and equitable way for communities to improve their residents’ oral health regardless of age, education or income.”
Fluoride helps protect from cavity formation. It is the acidity from the bacterial plaque that begins to dissolve the outside layer of the enamel. Fluoride ion jumps in to strengthen the enamel. Since this is an ongoing dynamic process, having fluoride in the water works continuously to protect our teeth, said Harvey Frankel, a local dentist, at a meeting before the borough council.
“Thanks to Helen (Hawkey) and Nicole (Payonk, policy & advocacy coordinator, PCOH) for leading the charge to accomplish this,” Ellis said. “They both said it was a tough nut to crack, but we were successful.”
Original article online at: https://www.dailyamerican.com/story/news/healthcare/2025/12/02/fluoride-in-drinking-water-continuing-somerset-borough-pa/87506850007/