PORT ANGELES — More than three years after a private dental foundation offered a $260,000 grant that was later accepted by the city, fluoridation of the Port Angeles water supply will begin next month.
Port Angeles will join Forks as the only cities in Clallam and Jefferson counties to have fluoridated water.
Forks began water fluoridation in August 1955.
Starting around mid-May, between 0.8 and 1.2 parts per million of fluoride will be added to the city’s water supply, monitored daily.
The fluoridation must continue for a minimum of 10 years, according to the contract signed in March 2005 with the Washington Dental Services Foundation, which provided the grant to build a fluoride treatment facility.
The city is responsible for maintaining the system at a cost of about $10,000 annually.
Support — and opposition
The council’s decision to fluoridate the water has been endorsed by a group of 90 local doctors and all 25 practicing dentists in Port Angeles, as well as the Port Angeles School Board, Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Clallam County.
The groups say that fluoride in the water lowers tooth decay, particularly among children.
But the impending addition of the chemical will no doubt anger opponents of fluoride, who in the past have tried legal action to prevent the city from proceeding with the additive.
City Engineering Manager Steve Sperr said May 15 is the city’s target start date, depending upon construction of the fluoridation building and training of employees.
The city will send informational fliers to water customers about the fluoridation and will include a short statement on water bills, he said.
Anyone with questions on water distribution can call the city’s water utility at 360-417-4849, Sperr said.
