GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley’s drinking water has been infused with fluoride salts since the 1950s in an effort to relieve deficiencies in the general public and help fight tooth decay. The City Council of Gridley reviewed the policy as its fluoride distributing system has recently been experiencing glitches in operation. 

Each of Gridley’s wells has equipment used to distribute fluoride into the water system. According to Gridley City Engineer, Dave Harden, the monofluoro silicate, or fluoride salts currently being used by the City have not been dissolving correctly and the equipment is not able to properly meter the correct amounts of the mineral into the system. High levels of fluoride can be toxic. Attempts at repairing the equipment, such as feed pumps, did not solve the problem and it is suspected it is the fluoride salts themselves causing the issue. To change the system to a liquid based fluoride system would mean extensive costs, estimated to be around $90- $100,000 per well. 

The concern is the potential for overdosing of the system. Today, many toothpastes and oral hygiene products include fluoride. Experts are torn between the benefits and dangers of fluoride, but one fact remains consistent: Overdosing can be toxic. Due to the potential risk of overdosing, the City stopped infusing fluoride into the water on October 14, 2019 as a safety precaution until the matter could be reviewed by the Council.

Harden says that the State does not require the City of Gridley to treat the water with fluoride because of its size and neighboring towns such as Biggs, Live Oak and Chico (required for populations of 10,000+). Harden reports that fluoride can be naturally occurring in ground water, and Gridley’s water happens to have .02 milligrams/liter naturally which the State requires .10 milligrams/liter. Fluoridation of the water supply currently costs the city about $40,000. The cost to stop the process would ultimately just be the cost of disposing of the excess fluoride.

Gridley City Council voted 5-0 to discontinue the use of fluoride in our water system until future notice.