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Fluoride will cease to be in Sparwood water

The by-law that will officially end the fluoridation of Sparwood’s water was adopted at the November 15 council meeting.
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The District of Sparwood will cease to add fluoride to its waters.

The by-law that will officially end the fluoridation of Sparwood’s water was adopted at the November 15 council meeting.

Fluoride will no longer be filtered into the municipal water supply beginning January 1, 2015.

Fluoridation of water supplies is meant to reduce tooth decay and prevent the formation of cavities, but those opposed to water fluoridation argue that the added agent may actually contribute to health problems.

The discussion on fluoride has circulated around Sparwood since it was first introduced into the district’s water supply in the fall of 1968, following a referendum that approved the addition in 1966.

Thirty years later, the issue was brought to council again, and in 1999 the district voted to continue with the municipal water supply being fluoridated.

Votes tallied last month resulted in the cease fluoridation bylaw with 578 in favour of putting the discontinuation bylaw into effect and 419 votes that wanted to see fluoridation continue.