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Pasco council votes to discontinue fluoridation in city water, directs staff to prepare implementation plan
Summary
After weeks of public hearings and a split council debate, the City of Pasco voted 4-2 to discontinue adding fluoride to the municipal water supply and directed staff to prepare implementation steps and budget adjustments. An earlier motion to place the question on the November 2026 ballot failed 3-3.
Following extensive public comment from dental professionals, public-health staff and residents on both sides, the Pasco City Council voted to discontinue fluoridation of municipal drinking water and instructed staff to prepare an implementation plan and any necessary budget adjustments.
The public comment period included advocates for continued fluoridation who cited population-level dental health benefits for children and low-income residents, including Benton-Franklin Health District staff and dental professionals demonstrating research and local survey support. Opponents and some council members cited recent litigation and scientific reports they said raised concerns about neurodevelopmental risks and argued for removing the chemical from the public supply or letting voters decide.
Council first considered putting the question to Pasco voters in November 2026; that motion (to prepare ballot language and coordinate with the county auditor) tied 3-3 and failed. Council then adopted a motion, 4-2, to discontinue fluoridation under RCW 78.125.210 and to ask staff to return with an implementation plan and any budget changes required to execute the action.
Council directed staff to prepare the technical, regulatory and budget steps needed to stop dosing, and to present a timeline for implementation. Staff will return with the required resolutions and operational details.
Next step: staff to draft implementation plan, regulatory notices and budget amendments, and present those to council for approval.
