A recent change in fluoride level requirements has left the Village of Bonduel with some questions about the amount of fluoride they provide in their water. According to Shawn Thorne of the Municipal Operations Committee, the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements have dropped from 1-part fluoride per million to three quarters part fluoride per million.
“High concentration of Fluoride is not good for you, and a lot of people get fluoride from other sources, that the need for fluoride may not be as prevalent as it has in the past” Thorne told the Village Board at a recent meeting.
The concern comes in what capabilities the current equipment in the village allows, according to Thorne.
” I believe we can only go down as low as one part per million” Thorne said. “I believe that if we wished to reduce the amount of fluoride to anything else other than zero, we would have to update our system.”
Replacing the equipment could be costly, and in an attempt to not have to spend money if they can help it, the Village is conducting a survey for residents to explain their desires for fluoride in the Village. Thorne said since the issue can be one of controversy, the survey could help guide the decision process.
“We talked about putting it on the website and on the Facebook page, and having copies available at Village Hall” Thorne said. “We did talk about whether or not it merited going out, but because people like to address controversial topics, and fluoride is one of them, that is a big enough thing for people especially if they hear they are not getting fluoride in their water anymore.
As of now, the Village Board only approved the creation of the survey, but the process of where and when it will be available is still in discussion. One idea was to have it available when residents pay their water bills.