WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) – Some people in Wisconsin Rapids fear fluoride in the water could be linked to health risks. City leaders discussed a potential ban at a meeting Tuesday night at City Hall.
In the meeting, the Legislative Committee voted to remove fluoride from the city’s water.
An expert from the Wisconsin Dental Association says about 77 percent of city waters have fluoride in them. Some studies have shown it can help keep your teeth healthier and cleaner.
“It has shown, in many studies, to reduce tooth decay by 25 percent or more. It’s also a very cost-effective public health measure,” Wisconsin Dental Association’s Immediate Past President Dr. Chris Hanson said.
Hanson says this removal of fluoride would be cost-effective and it would impact people who have little access to dental care.
“If we remove community water, fluoridation from community water supplies, we’ll tend to see a greater increase in dental disease rates,” Hanson said.
Audrey Day of Wisconsin Rapids says this removal will greatly impact her as well.
“Me and thousands of others,” she said. “I can’t afford to get any more fillings or crowns, and I cannot afford to buy special water or fluoride tablets all the time. I drink the city tap water every day.”
A representative from the Wood County Health Department voiced her support for keeping fluoride in their city. Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives Kristie Egge says the level of fluoride is 0.7 milligrams per liter.
“This goes well beyond the cavities,” Egge said. “The average child, 90 pounds, would have to drink 286 liters of fluoridated water daily to reach fluoride toxicity. At that point, they would die from water overconsumption.”
Hanson says dental decay is one of the chronic diseases today. It’s a reason why he says fluoride is proven to be beneficial.
“It’s something that we should continue to really promote within our water system,” he said.
After the results, Hanson told NewsChannel 7 he’s disappointed in the decision and that the committee is not putting the needs of the public first.
The next step in this process sends the issue to the City Council in two weeks. One committee member says this will absolutely be a continual discussion.
Original article online at: https://www.wsaw.com/2025/02/05/wisconsin-rapids-legislative-committee-votes-remove-fluoride-water/