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Westminster council votes to remove fluoride from city water treatment
Summary
After a public hearing, Westminster City Council approved a resolution to discontinue adding fluoride to the city's drinking water; supporters cited recent studies and worker safety, while at least one local dentist opposed the change.
Westminster — The Westminster City Council voted on Sept. 9 to remove fluoride from the city's water treatment process, adopting a resolution following a public hearing and several councilmember comments.
City staff explained the proposal during a public hearing and cited recent studies that the presentation said linked high fluoride exposure to developmental effects in young children and bone-density issues in older adults. Staff also cited occupational safety concerns tied to the city's current powder-handling process and noted other nearby jurisdictions have removed or altered fluoride dosing in recent years.
"The reasons to remove it outweigh the potential benefits," a city staff presenter told the council during the hearing, citing both health study findings and the hazard to treatment-plant operators who handle 50-pound bags of chemical. The presentation also noted that some systems use a liquid fluoride product that reduces dust exposure.
A local dentist contacted the mayor and opposed the removal, the mayor said, and asked that his views be recorded. During the hearing, one councilmember referenced the dentist's explanation that fluoride helps seal microscopic pores in teeth and reduces tooth decay; that speaker said they would share the dentist's comments with the record.
After public comment and staff answers, councilmembers voted to adopt the resolution authorizing the removal of fluoride. The measure passed on a recorded vote.
Councilmembers said they expect staff to follow state regulatory steps and to plan for any public messaging the community will need. Staff also noted that Seneca and Walhalla previously adjusted fluoride practices and that removing fluoride is feasible with changes to chemical handling at the treatment plant.
The resolution directs staff to begin the administrative process required to discontinue fluoride dosing and to return to the council with implementation details and any required regulatory filings.
