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City Council wants citizens to decide if fluoridation should continue
HARTINGTON — Hartington residents will soon have the opportunity to decide whether fluoride should continue to be added to the community’s water system.
The Hartington City Council voted Monday to place the question before voters at an upcoming election. Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said that in order for an issue to appear on the May 14 primary election ballot, a request and the ballot language must be submitted to her office by March 2.
The issue stems from a Nebraska law that requires most larger communities to fluoridate their public water. Nebraska Revised Statute § 71-3305 mandates all cities and villages with a population of 1,000 or more add fluoride to their public water supply, unless the water already contains sufficient natural fluoride. The requirement was adopted by the Nebraska Legislature in 2008 through LB 245.
State law does allow communities to opt out, but only through local action. A city council must pass an ordinance prohibiting fluoridation, and that ordinance must then be approved by voters before fluoridation can be discontinued.
City Councilman Cody Christensen proposed the idea of eliminating fluoridation, saying the move could save the city some money.
He said Hartington has spent more than $19,000 over the past five years on chemicals used to add fluoride to the system.
Christensen also noted that equipment used to inject fluoride must be kept up to date. If the city continues fluoridation, that equipment will need to be updated, he said. Hartington operates four wells, meaning four injection pumps are required.
“There are a fair amount of communities that have gone away from it,” Christensen said. “There is really no reason for it other than protecting your teeth. It’s just something someone down the line decided they wanted done.”
Christensen said he believes the expense is not justified. “This is just an attempt to save some money,” he said, adding he feels there is no reason fluoride should be added to the water supply.
National health organizations, however, continue to support community water fluoridation as a public health measure.
The American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that fluoridated drinking water reduces tooth decay by about 25% in children and adults, even with other sources of fluoride such as toothpaste.
The CDC has also named community water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
Supporters say fluoridation is one of the most cost-effective ways to help prevent cavities across entire communities, regardless of age or income level.
