Sparta will officially start phasing fluoride out of the city water supply after a unanimous vote from the Aldermen Thursday.
Mayor Jerry Lowery said the state legislature set timelines for the city to make a decision, as well as to inform the public of the change. Lowery said a town hall hearing over the summer was well attended, where people voiced their desire to remove the fluoride.
“I have not had one single resident tell me that they wanted the fluoride to stay in except those that are funded by the government, or they’re in the government system some way,” Lowery said. “So it’s interesting that that took place.”
Lowery said the FDA identifies fluoride as a toxin. Lowery said it is also a hazard for the employees, as they have to deal with 55 gallon containers of hydrofluoric acid.
Lowery said he expects the fluoride to be completely out of the water by mid-September.
Lowery said he did not ask the Aldermen how they were going to vote. Lowery said the vote to remove the water was based solely on the constituents’ desires.
He said that he believes that the people should have the right to choose what they put in their bodies, so it is not right to put chemicals in the water against their will.
“No matter if its a fluorinated country or a non-fluorinated country, the decays are going down because of the education,” Lowery said. “Because we’re getting it naturally through the toothpaste that we use. And it’s supposed to be applied topically and not ingested.”
Lowery said the public’s education was important to removing the fluoride from the water. He said the city made it a priority to inform the community about fluoride’s dangers, and events like the town hall further spread the word.
Lowery said the city cannot just get rid of the fluoride, so it will be gradually phased out of the water.
“You can’t just take what you’ve got left over and take it somewhere,” Lowery said. “Nobody wants it, and you can’t dispose of it.”
Lowery said the city still has about two or three weeks of supply left, but it has been purchased in smaller amounts in preparation for the change. Lowery said the city will not purchase any more fluoride, but it will use the remaining amount for a few more weeks since there is no other way to get rid of it.
In other business, the Aldermen approved amendments to the Human Resources Manual to give city employees quicker access to paid time off. City Recorder Tonya Tindle said this is meant to help retain employees at low cost to the city.
Aldermen approved a low bid for a 15 Hp and a 60 Hp Pump Model spare Sewer Lift station pump. The pump will cost some $55,000.
Aldermen approved the American Legion Post #99’s Veteran’s Day Parade for November 8.
