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Public commenters press council on DWP fluoridation and announce lawsuit; speakers allege procedural and safety shortcomings
Summary
Several public speakers told the council they had filed a lawsuit against the City and DWP over water fluoridation, alleging inadequate notice, withheld safety data and violation of disclosure laws; the council limited time for public comment and did not take immediate action on the lawsuit during this session.
During the non‑agenda public comment period on March 23, multiple speakers raised concerns about the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (DWP) fluoridation plan and said they had filed litigation seeking validation and injunctive relief.
Paul Baraccia, speaking for Los Angeles Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, summarized the complaint as alleging procedural failures and insufficient public disclosure in the city’s fluoridation decision. He said the suit lists multiple procedural deficiencies, including that safety data were not fully reviewed by the council and that public comment was curtailed. Other speakers in the comment period alleged health risks (some speakers claimed fluoride causes cancer, cognitive harm and bone fractures) and said city officials hid fluoridation measures in a chemical‑purchase contract to avoid scrutiny.
Council staff limited speakers’ time and closed the public comment period after a series of testimonials. Councilmembers did not take immediate action on the legal claims during this meeting; the comments were recorded for the public record. A range of speakers and organizations urged the council to reconsider the prior actions and to provide full disclosure of safety documents cited in past votes.
Next steps: The litigation referenced by speakers is pending; the council did not vote on or respond formally to the legal complaint at this meeting. Council staff and relevant departments may have the matter on future agendas if the litigation or committee referrals require action.
