HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2026 09.B. Process to put fluoridation of water on the ballot 0,` ! ♦ !!!
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.B.
For Meeting of: May 12, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Process to put fluoridation of water on the ballot
SUBMITTED BY: Sara Watkins, City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
City Council directed staff to put a session on a future agenda to determine whether the Council would
like to put a vote to the people to end fluoridation of water in the City of Yakima water system.
The City of Yakima decided to fluoridate its drinking water after a vote of the people in 1999. The
petition required fluoridation in "all large water systems which supply potable water within the city limits of
the City of Yakima...." Fluoridation started in the year 2000. Because the initiative and law was passed
by initiative under the Yakima Charter, it goes back to the voters to repeal the prior initiative language
and law.
The City will also have to follow Washington State law regarding discontinuing fluoridation of water
supply. RCW 70A.125.210 states in full:
A public water system that considers commencing or discontinuing fluoridation of its water
supply on a continuing basis shall notify its customers and the department of its intentions at
least 90 days prior to a vote or decision on the matter. The water system shall notify its
customers via radio, television, newspaper, regular mail, electronic means, or any
notification methods which effectively notify customers at least 90 days prior to any meeting
at which the vote or decision will occur. Any public water system that violates the
notification requirements of this subsection [section] shall return the fluoridation of its water
supply to its previous level until proper notification is provided under the provisions of this
section.
Department of Health requirements for discontinuation of fluoride treatments requires notification to the
Office of Drinking Water at least 90 days prior to a vote or decision on the matter as well.
https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water/fluoride-drinking-water.
Therefore, before the vote can be taken on putting this issue on the ballot, the City must provide
notification to its customers more than 90 days before the Council meeting where that vote is going to be
taken.
Staff recommends the following:
1. Determining if the City Council wants to move forward with an evaluation of whether to create an
initiative for the voters to decide whether to discontinue fluoridation of drinking water.
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2. If the answer to that is "yes", determining if the City Council wishes to move forward immediately,
or wait until the next time a City Council position, or City matter is on the ballot. The next City
Council primary, if needed, is in August of 2027, and the next City general election is in November
of 2027.
3. Based on the time frame desired by Council, staff can send out the required notification
approximately 120 days before a meeting where the matter will be on the agenda for decision.
4. On the agenda on the date of decision, there would be a section for public comment, as normal,
and then a separate section for public comment specifically on this issue, scheduled similarly to a
public hearing, on the issue of fluoridation.
Included documents:
Resolution No. 99-79
RCW 70A.125.210
ITEM BUDGETED: No
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution No. 1999-079.pdf
RCW 70A.125.210.pdf
193
ry
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RESOLUTION NO. R-99- 79
A RESOLUTION providing for the submittal to the electors of the City of
Yakima, Washington, at a special election to be held in
conjunction with the State General Election of November 2,
1999, of a proposition as to whether or not publicly and
privately owned class "A" water supplies shall be fluoridated
as a public health and safety regulation at water rate payer
expense.
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Yakima should have the right to •
choose whether new chemical compounds or substances such as fluoride should
be introduced into the water supply that they drink and may affect human health
and environmental quality; and
WHEREAS, some members of the public have requested that the City of
Yakima require the fluoridation of potable water made available for public
consumption within the City of Yakima while other members of the public oppose
fluoridation; and
WHEREAS, some studies have shown that fluoridation of water supplies
provide significant heath benefits to children and adults within the City of Yakima
by reducing the risk of dental cavities; and
WHEREAS, other studies have shown that fluoridation of drinking water
may result in increased risk of various health problems for elderly citizens who
have osteoporosis; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that in order to resolve this dispute
clearly on one side or the other, the citizens of Yakima should determine this
public health and safety issue for themselves; and
WHEREAS, the cost of fluoridation and daily monitoring of fluoride levels
required by state regulation would require an increase in the cost of water; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 4 of the Yakima City Charter and RCW
35.22.200 provide that the City Council may submit to popular vote for adoption
or rejection at any election any proposed ordinance; and
WHEREAS, The City Council hereby finds and declares an emergency to
exist so as to authorize such special election be called, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Yakima does hereby propose to
the electors of the City of Yakima that Sections 4.04.010, 4.04.020, 4.04.030,
and 4.04.040 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code be enacted to read as
follows:
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194
"4.04.010 Purpose.
The citizens of the City of Yakima find that fluoridation of water
supplies provides a significant health benefit to residents of the City by reducing
the risk of dental cavities.
4.04.020 Definitions.
A. `Large water system' means a public water system with two
hundred and fifty or more service connections, regardless of
the number of people served, but shall not include non-
community water systems as defined in WAC 246-290-
020(5)(6).
B. `Service' means a connection to a public water system
designed to provide potable water.
C. `Potable' means water suitable for drinking by the public.
D. `Public water system' means any system providing piped
water for human consumption regardless of the system's
form of ownership and regardless of whether it holds its
services out to the general public.
E. 'Ambient fluoride' shall mean fluoride that occurs naturally in
potable water.
4.04.030 Fluoridation Required.
All large water systems which supply potable water within the city limits of
the City of Yakima shall provide fluoridated water to City residents. Such water
shall be fluoridated either as a result of ambient fluoride levels or by adding
fluoride. Systems which add fluoride shall be required to maintain a fluoride
concentration in the range of 0.8 through 1.3 milligrams per liter in accordance
with WAC 246-290-460 as now or hereinafter amended. All other large water
systems shall maintain fluoride levels between 0.8 milligrams per liter and the
maximum ambient fluoride levels permitted under WAC 246-290-310 as now or
hereinafter amended, or more restrictive state or federal law.
4.04.040 Funding.
The Yakima City Council is authorized and directed to increase City water
rates as needed to fluoridate City-owned water systems."
Section 2. The foregoing ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30
days after its passage, approval, and publication as provided by law and by the
City Charter.
Section 3. That a special election be held in the City of Yakima in
conjunction with the State General Election to be held on November 2, 1999, all
in accordance with applicable laws, for the purpose of submitting to the electors
of the City of Yakima for their approval or rejection an ordinance requiring all
Group A water systems providing water within the City of Yakima to provide
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2 195
water fluoridated in accordance with Washington State Department of Health
regulations.
Section 4. That the Ballot title for the aforesaid proposition shall read as
follows:
FLUORIDATION BALLOT TITLE
Shall all potable water supply systems having 250 or more connections
within the City of Yakima be fluoridated according to State standards, all as more
fully provided in Resolution R-99-79 of the Yakima City Council?
Section 5. That the County Auditor of Yakima County, Washington, is
hereby requested to submit the foregoing proposition to the electors of the City of
Yakima for their approval or rejection at a special election in conjunction with the
• State General Election on November 2, 1999, all in accordance with applicable
laws; and the City Clerk is hereby directed to notify the County Auditor of Yakima
County, Washington, of the passage of this resolution and to do all other things
necessary in the time and manner required by law to the end that the proposition
set out hereinabove shall be submitted to the electors of the City of Yakima,
Washington, as set forth in this resolution.
• ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 15th day of June
1999. •
/..e-74
1_1' �fw 6�4teri
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John Puccinelli, Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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3 196
Class A systems in the city limits:
Name Water Source Number of Connections
Raybung Well Private Well 22
Laura Lee Mobile Private Well 48
Community Pump Private Well 15
Carriage Hill Estates Private Well 83
Nob Hill Water Wells ?
Riverview Mobile City Water N/A
Woodland Park City Water N/A
Whispering Pines City Water N/A
City of Yakima City Water 19,200
197
CITY OF YAKIMA
LEGAL
DEPARTMENT
200 South Third Street,Yakima,Washington 98901-2830 (509)575-6033 Fax(509)575-6160
MEMORANDUM
May 21,1999
TO: R.A. Zais, City Manager
FROM: Jeff. B. West, Sr. Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Timing of Special Election on Fluoridation
There appears to be no legal impediment to the City Council setting the special election
on Fluoridation on either the November 1999 or the November 2000 ballot. The State
requirement is that the Council file its request for a special election in the form of a
resolution at least 45 days prior to the election. RCW 29.13.020. There is no time
specified other than that the resolution be filed at least 45 days prior to the election.
County Auditor Douglas Cochran states that he will accept a resolution calling for either
election date.
The City Charter states: "The City Commission (sic) may submit to popular vote for
adoption or rejection at any election any proposed ordinance . . . . " Art IV Sec. 4.
(emphasis added). Hence it appears that either election date will satisfy the Charter.
However, the Council should be aware that setting this proposition to the November
2000 ballot may limit options on any future special election since the City Charter
mandates that; "There shall not be held under this article more than one special election
in any period of six months." Art. IV Sec. 5. Article IV of the City Charter covers
referendum, initiative and proposition elections. Hence, by scheduling the proposition
for the November 2000 ballot, the City would be unable to hold any referendum,
initiative or proposition election within 6 months of the November 2000 election.
198
-', Jeffrey Hagen, DDS.MPA f Mb ? 7
IJJJ
_ 221 Valley Vista Lane ;
Yakima, WA 98901 L�F':�:: ter` t,;i`{ ,• , ,��.
•
....__......_....... .
Phone: 509-248-0438
Fax: 509-452-1570
E-mail: jhagen@wolfenetcom
May 6, 1999
Mr. Richard Zais, City Manager
129 North 2°a Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Dear Mr. Zais:
On behalf of the Ad Hoc fluoridation Committee of the Yakima County Children's Oral
Health Coalition, I am requesting that our committee be given the opportunity to provide
input into the wording of the fluoridation initiative for the November 2 ballot.
I am sure you will agree that it is essential that the wording be clear, concise, and
unbiased. Using language that is as simple as possible will help the citizens of Yakima to
easily understand the question on which they are voting and will facilitate translation of the
words into Spanish.
Following, for your consideration, is an example of a simple statement that tells very
briefly what is proposed and why it is proposed:
"Should fluoride be added to the Yakima City water supply to prevent tooth
decay?"
The committee would appreciate the opportunity to review the City Council's proposed
wording while it is in draft form, if this is possible, Please contact me at 248-0438 or
Russell Maier, M.D., at 453-2441 for such a review.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Hagen
Ad Hoc Fluoridation Committee
199
ESTIMATED COSTS OF ADDING FLUORIDE AT THE .' ...'..a
WATER TREATMENT PLANT t 144Y 7 999
•
USING HYDROFLUOSILICIC ACID
(hy-dro-FLEW-oh-suh-lys4k) 1F CITY MAN
Chemical Hydrolluosilicic Add 24%+1-1%
Specific Gravity — 1.222 /10.175 lbs./gal/2.44 lbs.fluoride per gel of acid
Cost $301.00 per liquid Ton / $0.627 per lb. of fluoride
Delivery 24 ton/4800 gal lots/3 to 4 loads per year
Feed Rate 1 mgR
Average flow of 12 MGD = 100 lbs./day of fluoride
@ Maximum flow of 25 MGD =210 lbs./day of fluoride
Yearly flow of 4,380 MG=37,000 lbs./year of fluoride
Storage Requirements Chemical proof 6,500 gallon tank
20 ft. X 20 ft. building for tank
Feed Equipment 2 ea. 5 gallon per hour positive displacement pumps
Electrical
Process Control programming
Safety Equipment Emergency eye wash/shower
Chemical masks
Rubber gloves and aprons
Eye protection
Water Testing Equipment Fluoride residual tester
Design System design and specifications
NOTE
Adding fluoride to the drinking water can be accomplished using sodium fluoride, silica fluoride
or Hydrofluosilicic acid. Sodium and silica fluorides are powders and Hydrofluosilicic acid is a
liquid. Because of the amount of fluoride required it will be most efficiently accomplished with the
Hydrofluosilicic acid. The powders, at 50 pounds per bag,will produce 800 bags per year that
will have to be disposed of. The powders also require more equipment, such as a concentrator,
than the acid will. This estimate is for Hydrofluosilicic Acid only.
C
page 1 5/7/99
200
Stoma BuiWine eon eve,M
Includes building eledslcal, exhaust fans, unit heaters,
vow* eisw C
l wash/shower, sanitary pm"
� ,�� �eye
for floor drainswashsink act..stormstank
Feed System $25,000.00
Includes pumps,feed lines, electrical equipment,
Irtivtftwe to gyrational-system.,
Miscellaneous $10,000.00
includes safety equipment,fluoride test equipment,
Computer and Process Control interface.
Design Costs $30,000.00
includes engineering fees, and Department of Health
design review fees, citizen involvement
Total $145,000.00
Annual Castle e Dp►emte.Fiuorl;alo System
Electrical $ 200.00
Chemical $24,000.00
Maintenance $ 5,000.00
Safety Equipment $ 100.00
Total Annual OpeFational Cost $29,300.00
Page 2 6/7/99
201
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
t _P 200 South Third Street
Yakima, Washington 98901-2830
1jRRIIR nt 111 ,
May 27, 1999
James Matteucci
Washington State Dental Association
2033 Sixth Avenue, Suite 333
Seattle, WA 98121
Dear Mr. Matteucci:
I have received your letter dated May 18, 1999 in which you allege "that the City Council
has not followed the principle of public meetings."
The Open Public Meetings Act, RCW Chapter 42.30, sets forth the procedural and
substantive requirements for public meetings of governing bodies within the State of
Washington. With respect to the fluoride issue, the City Council has fully complied with
every requirement of the Open Public Meetings Act and, in fact, has provided expanded
notices and opportunities for public involvement that are above and beyond the
minimum requirements of the statute.
On April 6, 1999, the City Council held a public study session on the fluoride issue.
Advance public notice was published for that study session, and members of the public
were permitted to attend and did attend and speak at that study session. On April 20,
1999, the City Council again discussed the fluoride issue at its regular City Council
meeting, and proponents of fluoridation were in attendance and testified before the City
Council at that time. On May 18, 1999, the City Council, pursuant to advance published
notice, considered the fluoride issue again and allowed a number of people to comment
on this issue. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the Council chose to defer
taking any final action on a fluoride ballot proposition pending some wording revisions
to a draft resolution. When the revised resolution comes back before the City Council,
there will be yet another scheduled opportunity for public comment.
In light of the extensive amount of public involvement that has already occurred at open
public meetings, it is clear that the City Council has not only followed all proper
procedures but has allowed for greater public involvement than is required under state
law.
If your organization wishes to make further comment on this matter, please feel free to
direct your letters and comments to the Yakima City Council. Yakima
Wind
'IIIl,
202 •
Civil Division (509) 575-6030 • Criminal Division (509) 575-6033 • Fax(509) 575-6160
James Mateucci
May 27, 1999
Page - 2
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Very truly yours,
RJi ,UL
Raymond L. Paolella
City Attorney
RLP:Ik
203
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._________
ECEI Vt
C'`Y ^" Y<,K0,44 1
A MAY 18
WASHINGTON May 18, 1999 1 ij949
STATE C>= iC �. CITY MANAGER
DENTAL
ASSOCIATION
Mr. Ray Paolella
City Attorney
City of YYk-•i.ma
129 North 2"° Street --
Yakima, WA 98901
Dear Mr. Paolella;
This is to review our telephone conversation from this morning.
I am very concerned that the City Council has not followed the principal
of public meetings, which is to facilitate open debate on important public
issues.
Dr.Timothy E.Wendell Other than today's meeting, it does not appear that fluoride has been a
�sidenl specific agenda item at previous City Council business meetings. Yet,
the City Council clearly feels fluoridation is important and complex
Mary Krempasky Smith enough to put to a public vote_ So much so that it has drafted a
President-elect resolution and suggestions for ballot title language.
Dr.Jeffrey L.Parrish But by putting it to a public vote without proper public discussion of how
Vice President and when to decide the issue the City Council, perhaps unfairly to itself,
Dr.Mark V Walker is reflecting a certain hostility toward the issue.
Secrelary-Treasurer
Furthermore, putting fluoridation on the November ballot, when voter
Dr.Richard A.Crinzi turnout will be low, unfairly empowers a small percentage of the
Immediate Past President population to make a decision impacting the public health and well being
Mr.Stephen A,Hammon of the entire community.
Executive Director
If the City Council remains committed to a public vote on fluoridation
it is proper to have it on the 2000 ballot, when turnout will be high
.l there will have been sufficient time for open debate from both sides.
:act':S el ,
j- -u .a
D"I-ctor of Public Policy
c : Mr. Richard Zais
City Manager
2033 Sixth Ave„Suite 333 •Seattle,WA 98121• ph 206 448.1914 • fax 206.443.9266
204
•
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 1 D
For Meeting Of 6//-5 19
ITEM TITLE: A resolution providing for the submittal to the electors of the City of Yakima, in
conjunction with the State General Election of November 2, 1999, a proposition as to whether or
not publicly and privately owned Class "A" potable water supplies shall be fluoridated as a public
health and safety measure at water rate payer expense.
SUBMITTED BY: Raymond Paolella, City Attorney
Dueane Calvin, Water/Irrigation Manager
Glenn Rice, Assistant City Manager
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Dueane Calvin—576-6480
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The attached legislation is submitted pursuant to the Council's direction on April 6 to submit the
issue of fluoridating the City's water supply to the voters at the November General Election.
The basis for the City Council decision to place this matter before the citizens is set forth in the
text of the attached resolution.
(continued)
Resolution x Ordinance Contract Other(Specify)
Funding Source
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: Ae_t
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Council Policy Issue
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
(Ik)agenda•tluoride 99-jw
205
Continuation of Summary Explanation to Agenda Statement regarding water fluoridation:
In order for a special election to be held on November 2, 1999, the Council must adopt a
resolution calling for the special election. In addition, a ballot title for the proposition must be
auuMicu ...t-:41I .....a.. WIC iCq..t L L WI a u..au.. WWICIIwta_I uuetuiy
QYVN�CY YIf111411 IIICCt.9 UIG /CyQ1 ICaL VI Q4tHYlQtiy, Vu�CtrUYlty, QIIY 41iltlly. MAGI tiV11,lUC(1(It�
several alternatives, including ballot propositions from other cities and the specific language
proposed by the Ad Hoc Fluoridation Committee in its May 6 letter to the City Manager, the City
Attorney has prepared a ballot title which meets the legal standard for such propositions. The
language can be amended if desired provided that the title satisfies the legal standard referenced
above.
As a matter of clarification, Chapter 246-290 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
defines Class "A" water systems, referenced in the resolution, as those that "serve potable water
to 15 or more connections or 25 or more people per day for 60 or more days per year." Potable
water, as defined in the same section of the WAC, means "water suitable for drinking by the
public." Currently there are nine Class "A" systems serving potable water to the citizens of the
City of Yakima. However, many of these are small systems with less than 100 connections. It
has been determined that due to the small size of these systems, it is impractical to require these
small systems to fluoridate. Small systems without 24-hour per day monitoring could have
difficulty controlling the levels of fluoride in their systems. Additionally, the financial impact on
these small systems could be prohibitive.
The National Centers for Disease Control generally recommend fluoridation in systems serving
1000 or more persons since systems of this size generally have 24-hour a day monitoring
capability. Since accurately determining the number of persons served could be problematic, it is
recommended that the level of 250 service connections be adopted. This assumes an average of
four persons served per service connection. If citizens are served by a water supply with less
than 250 connections as defined above, they will be exempt from the requirements for fluoridating
their water supply if the proposition is approved by the voters.
Ok)agenda-fluoride 99-w
206
Health Action Network
FLUORIDE FACT SHEET
1 . Fluoride does not have FDA approval.
Fluoride has never received FDA approval because the legally required proofs of safety and
effectiveness have not been produced in over 50 years of uncontrolled and unethical medical
experimentation on the entire population of the U.S.
Promoters of fluoride treatment once claimed that it was a necessary nutrient. However,
laboratory animals raised free of fluoride are healthier than those raised with fluoride in their
diets. Both the FDA and the National Academy of Science have determined that fluoride is not a
nutrient. It is designated a food contaminant.
2. Tooth decay is associated with poverty, not lack of fluoride.
Over the past 50 years tooth decay rates have declined world-wide, without regard to fluoride
treatment. Comparisons of "fluoridated" and non-"fluoridated" cities in the United States,
Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand show no difference in tooth decay rates, or slightly
lower rates in in non-"fluoridated" areas. In both "fluoridated" and non-"fluoridated" cities, tooth
decay rates are higher among low income groups.
3. The problem with fluoride is overexposure.
Between 20 and 80 percent of children who drink "fluoridated" water develop dental fluorosis
--permanent damage to the teeth that lead.s to increased tooth decay. Dental fluorosis is evic`.ence
of systemic fluoride poisoning and has been linked to abnormal bone growth.
In addition to fluoride in drinking water, the human population is exposed to fluoride from
industrial emissions,pesticides, over-the-counter dental products, and foods and beverages
reconstituted and processed with "fluoridated" water.
4. Fluoride is an accumulative poison more toxic than lead, nearly
as toxic as arsenic.
The amount of fluoride in "fluoridated" water is 67 times higher than the amount of lead
permitted in drinking water.
5. Some persons are more susceptible to harm from fluoride.
In its toxicological profile on fluorides,the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
states:
Existing data indicate that subsets of the population may be unusually susceptible to
the toxic effects of fluoride and its compounds. These populations include the
elderly,people with deficiencies of calcium, magnesium, and/or vitamin C, and
people with cardiovascular and kidney problems.
(Toxicological Profile for Fluorides,Hydrogen Fluoride,and Fluorine(F),Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,April 1993,p.112.)
Both animal and human studies show dramatic increases in bone cancer among young males
exposed to "fluoridated" water.
Hip fracture risks are as much as 50 percent higher among elderly men and women drinking
"fluoridated" water.
(p. 1 of 2) 207
FLUORIDE FACT SHEET (p. 2of2)
6. Low-level fluoride exposure causes permanent neurological damage.
Laboratory tests of fluoride neurotoxicity show damage to portions of the brain associated
with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity in humans when test animals are exposed to
low levels of fluoride at an early age. Later exposure results in inactivity and sluggishness.
Studies of children exposed prenatally to endemic fluoride found an average IQ deficit of 10
points across all age groups.
7. Fluoride in public water systems corrodes pipes and fixtures, increasing
maintenance costs; and fluoride leaches lead, increasing the difficulty of meeting water safety
standards and posing further danger of brain damage to young children.
8 The fluorides ariderl to public drinking water are raw industrial waste
from aluminum smelting, phosphate fertilizer production, and other industrial processes and
carry with them other toxic materials such as lead, arsenic,mercury, and even radionuclides.
9. Fluoride in public water systems pollutes the environment.
Fluoride
"fluoridated" . ater ara o roughly onepart per million, which is
concentrations in Vvu�.,. ..,.��r.,l.�a.y n m..._„_., the
same as 1:0 milligram per liter. This fluoride is released into the environment in sewage
effluent in excess of 1.0 milligram per liter. Fluoride concentrations above 0.2 milligrams per
liter in fresh water are toxic to fish, including Pacific salmon, and other life in the ecosystem:
10. Bottled water can contain up to 4.0 parts per million fluoride.
There is no state or federal requirement for disclosure of fluoride content in the labelling of
foods,beverages, or bottled water. EPA regulations currently permit up to 4.0 parts per million
fluoride in drinking water. Unlike chlorine and other toxins which can be removed by water
filters, fluoride can only be removed by distillation.
11 . Fluoride treatment is unprincipled medical experimentation.
This experimentation includes the use of public drinking water for mass medication,
unregulated sale of dental hygiene products, and dispensing of prescription preparations which
are not FDA-approved. Water "fluoridation" fails to meet the requirements for human medical
experimentation promulgated at the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals. It also fails the
ethical requirements of the American Medical Association for human experiments.
12. Fluoride in drinking water denies freedom of choice.
Laws banning smoking in public places allow individuals to avoid other people's smoke.
Fluoride in a public water system forces individuals to consume other people's medicine. Our
unique form of government is designed to protect the rights of individuals and minorities.
Using public drinking water to convey medical treatment violates this fundamental principle.
An extensive bibliography of scientific papers and other documentation is available upon request.
Health Action Network
P.O. Box 275, Bellingham, WA 98225-0275 Ph/Fax (360)734-6647
2/97
208
5/6/26,3:33 PM RCW 70A.125.210:
RCW 70A.125.210
Fluoridation of water supply Commencing
or discontinuing—Notice.
A public water system that considers commencing or discontinuing fluoridation of its water supply on a
continuing basis shall notify its customers and the department of its intentions at least 90 days prior to a vote
or decision on the matter. The water system shall notify its customers via radio, television, newspaper, regular
mail, electronic means, or any notification methods which effectively notify customers at least 90 days prior to
any meeting at which the vote or decision will occur. Any public water system that violates the notification
requirements of this subsection [section] shall return the fluoridation of its water supply to its previous level
until proper notification is provided under the provisions of this section.
[ 2023 c 140 s 1.]
209
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70A.125.210