Sonoma City Council Votes Down Proposal To Add Fluoride To Drinking Water Supply
SONOMA (KCBS)-- Sonoma's city council is opposing a proposal to add fluoride to the city's drinking water, after hearing concerns from residents.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper reports councilmembers voted 3-2 Monday against the plan to add the cavity-fighting mineral to its water supply. The council will send a letter of opposition to the county's board of supervisors.
Councilmember Laurie Gallian says she voted against sending the letter because the county was still in the process of researching the fluoridation issue.
County health officials are pushing to add fluoride to the water, saying it is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay and reduce dental care costs.
Fluoride opponents call the mineral dangerous and the science surrounding water fluoridation faulty.
Officials estimate it will cost $587,000 a year to inject fluoride into the water supply.
By comparison cities, such as San Francisco have had fluoride in their water supply for decades. According to the Public Utilities Commission, residents have been drinking fluoridated water to no known or apparent adverse health impacts.
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