After public comment and council discussion about the possibility of future fluoridation or other additive treatments if Escalon partners with surface-water suppliers, the council directed staff to draft an ordinance limiting additives to the city’s domestic water supply.

City Manager (Speaker 9) reported that SSJID (the South San Joaquin Irrigation District referenced in the discussion) "do[es] not currently treat with fluoride, and they do not intend to at this time." Legal counsel (Speaker 11) proposed a structure for a municipal ordinance titled a "public water supply additive ordinance" that would explicitly pinpoint fluoride and include a mechanism to monitor and periodically review additional chemicals or treatments as the regulatory landscape evolves.

Speakers from the public and council expressed concern about both the health impacts and the idea of citizens losing a household-level choice if additives were introduced through a water-purchase agreement. Councilmembers asked staff to include language that would require public hearings and regular staff reports when additives are being considered by water purveyors.

Councilmember (Speaker 5) moved and Speaker 4 seconded a motion directing staff to prepare an ordinance restricting additives to the domestic-water supply; the motion was approved by voice vote.

What’s next: staff will draft the ordinance language for council review that would bar city-added fluoride for domestic treatment and require council consideration and a public hearing if the city contemplated partnering on a source or purchase that would introduce additives.


Speakers

- Speaker 9 — City Manager (first ref: SEG 1298)
- Speaker 11 — Legal counsel / staff (first ref: SEG 1200)
- Speaker 5 — Councilmember (mover of motion; first ref: SEG 018)
- Speaker 4 — Councilmember Stroman (seconder)


Authorities

- SSJID practices (referenced by staff as not using fluoride)


Actions

- draft_water_additive_ordinance: {"kind":"motion","motion":"Direct staff to work on an ordinance restricting the use of additives to our domestic water supply.","mover":"Speaker 5","second":"Speaker 4","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Approved by voice vote; staff to draft ordinance language for council review."}


Clarifying details

- SSJID: staff reported SSJID currently does not fluoridate and has no intent to do so (per staff report).
- Reporting: staff and legal counsel recommended the ordinance include periodic monitoring and a process for review if new additives are proposed.


Provenance

- topicintro: SEG 1298
- topfinish: SEG 1745