[Water_news] 5. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, PEOPLE - 6/12/07

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

June 12, 2007

 

5. Agencies, Programs, People -

 

Water district to study different avenues for fluoride injection

Eureka Times Standard – 6/12/07

John Driscoll/The Times-Standard

 

All seven of the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District's wholesale customers have asked that the costs and feasibility of a regional fluoridation system be explored.

The district's board of directors will on Thursday consider a scope of work for a study meant to examine the costs and technical issues surrounding the concept. The letters from cities and service districts range from bare bones support of such an investigation to strongly emphasizing that supporting such a study shouldn't be taken as support for fluoridation.

 

District General Manager Carol Rische said the main function of the study would be to consider how the district's Essex treatment plant would need to be modified for the injection of fluoride. Other elements may be to help its customers understand the costs of such a program as well as the costs of stripping fluoride out of treated water at the municipal level, should cities or service districts later want it removed.

 

A study could take as little as two months once approved, Rische said. She made it clear, however, that the district would look to its customers as to what course should be taken.

 

”We don't want to drive this,” Rische said.

 

The city of Arcata on June 7 wrote that it would like to see initial installation and annual operation and maintenance costs, and the technology available for removing fluoride, explored as part of the process. Arcata and Eureka already fluoridate their water, but voiced support to consider fluoridation at the source.

 

Blue Lake and the Fieldbrook-Glendale, McKinleyville, Humboldt and Manila community services districts do not currently provide fluoride in the water.

 

At the district's last meeting on the subject, it heard from supporters and opponents of fluoridation. Supporters said fluoridation could be a means to make headway on the regional dental health crisis, while opponents said forcing fluoride on everyone is unethical and poses health risks.

 

The meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the district's 828 7th St. address in Eureka. #

http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_6121203

 

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