Fluoride to be Removed from City Water

The City of Lodi Common Council voted to discontinue the practice of adding fluoride to the City's water at the July 16, 2024 meeting.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted an inspection of the Lodi Utilities water department in January 2024. The EPA found the utility non-compliant at all three well houses when they observed the storage of fluoride and chlorine in the same room. Storage of fluoride and chlorine in the same room is a safety concern because the mixture of both chemicals can create a toxic gas.

Estimates to construct separate rooms at each well house varied from $521,800 to $637,700. The cost difference is dependent upon using existing equipment versus new equipment. The Public Works and Utilities Committee reviewed the estimates and recommended discontinuing adding fluoride to the water supply. The committee's reasoning was two-fold: avoid burdening the utility rate payers with the expense to become compliant and adding fluoride to the water supply is not required. The Common Council unanimously agreed.

The City's water will no longer contain fluoride once the current supply is depleted at the end of September 2024.