HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-087-07/15/2003-ACCEPTING THE REPORT OF THE FLUORIDE TECHNICAL STUDY GROUP AND AFFIRMING THE CITYS PRESENT PRACTICE RESOLUTION 2003-087
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ACCEPTING THE REPORT OF THE FLUORIDE TECHNICAL STUDY GROUP
AND AFFIRMING THE CITY'S PRESENT PRACTICE OF WATER FLUORIDATION
WHEREAS, Section 26-50 of the City Code authorizes the City Council to fluoridate the
water supply system of the City and requires fluoridation of such water to the levels established by
the State Department of Public Health and Environment; and
WHEREAS, a question has arisen as to whether such fluoridation is in the best interests of
the City; and
WHEREAS, in order to address this question, the City's Water Board was asked to review
the issue of fluoridation and to make a recommendation to the City Council; and
WHEREAS,the Water Board has recommended that the City discontinue water fluoridation,
which recommendation is based upon considerations of health effects, the cost of fluoridating the
City's water supply, and concerns regarding the use of the City's water system to improve
community dental health; and
WHEREAS, to further study the question of fluoridation, the City, in cooperation with the
Health District of Northern Latimer County, formed a technical study group (the "Study Group")
consisting of a variety of experts,advocates for and against fluoridation,and staff members from the
City and Latimer County Board of Health; and
WHEREAS,the Study Group reviewed and evaluated a vast amount of scientific information
regarding the benefits and risk of water fluoridation and conducted four public meetings to solicit
public input on the subject; and
WHEREAS, in early 2003, the Study Group completed its review and reported its findings
to the Fort Collins Water Board,the Larimer County Board of Health,the general public and the City
Council; and
WHEREAS,the study group concluded that water fluoridation is an effective mechanism in
reducing and preventing dental caries(cavities),there does not appear to be any conclusive evidence
of any significant health risks associated with water fluoridation, it appears that the benefits of
fluoridation exceeded the associated costs, and it does not appear that the contaminants normally
found in hydrofluorosilicic acid(HFS)used to fluoridate the City's drinking water pose a health risk
to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed all of the information developed by City staff
and the Study Group in a study session on May 27, 2003; and
WHEREAS, after reviewing all the information,the City believes it to be in the best interest
of the City to continue fluoridation of the City's water supply.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the Council hereby accepts the report and recommendations of the
Fluoride Study Group dated April, 2003.
Section 2. That the Utilities General Manager is hereby directed to continue fluoridation
of the City's water supply at such levels as he may deem appropriate, within the limits established
under Section 26-50 of the City Code.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the Cityrpf_Fort Collins held this
15th day of July, A.D. 2003. j
z
Mayor =-
ATTEST:
JAI-
City Clerk
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