Title
Greensboro’s Practice of Drinking Water Fluoridation
Body
Department: Water Resources
Council District: All
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Steven D. Drew, 336-373-7893
Contact 2 and Phone: Mike Borchers, 336-373-2494
PURPOSE:
The Water Resources Department has been asked to review its practice of fluoridation of drinking water in response to concerns expressed by residents.
BACKGROUND:
In North Carolina, the decision to fluoridate the water supply is made by municipalities and is not mandated by the EPA or any other federal entity. On January 16, 1967, the City of Greensboro passed a resolution authorizing the fluoridation of Greensboro’s public water supply. The goal of fluoride treatment is to add enough fluoride to prevent tooth decay while avoiding the unwanted health effects from too much fluoride. According the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health and Human Services Agency, the optimum concentration of fluoride in the water supply is the range from 0.7 to 1.0 mg/liter. City of Greensboro maintains a fluoridation level of 0.7 mg/liter in its drinking water at a cost of approximately $90,000 per year.
Despite support by public health organizations and authoritative bodies, the practice of fluoridation is controversial as a public health measure, and recent concerns over fluoridation of public drinking water have been expressed by members of the Greensboro community, and those concerns are rooted in political, ethical, safety, and economic factors.
The Department is aware of at least one resident who would like to speak about the practice of fluoridation, and Guilford County Public Health Director, Merle Green, has been invited to facilitate a balanced discussion.
BUDGET IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Water Resources Department requests that City Council review the City’s practice of fluoridation.