PORT ANGELES — The water fluoridation survey results are in, and of the 43 percent who responded, most want an end to the fluoridation of city water.
Of the poll responses, 2,381, or 56.64 percent, were opposed and 1,735, or 41.27 percent, were in favor of continuing to fluoridate the city’s water, according to the county Tuesday.
City water customers were asked if the city should continue fluoridating the municipal water supply after May 18, the expiration date of a contract with the Washington Dental Service Foundation.
Opponents have likened fluoridation to forced medication that causes a host of health problems, while proponents say it is a public health measure that successfully fights tooth decay.
The city received by the Nov. 27 deadline 4,204 responses out of the 9,762 surveys — 43.06 percent — that were mailed to city water customers Nov. 6.
The surveys went to all water customers — which did not include all users — of city water. That included more than 8,000 customers within the city limits and more than 1,500 Clallam County Public Utility District customers east of the city limits who use Port Angeles water.
There were 74 surveys, or 1.8 percent, returned marked “no opinion.”
Another 14 — 0.33 percent — were declared invalid due to being on photocopied ballots, having more than one in an envelope or being blank or having more than one choice marked.
Former County Auditor Patty Rosand was hired to oversee the poll process and count the poll responses received in the mail or drop-boxes located at city offices.
The poll responses were counted beginning Monday, and representatives of the pro and con fluoridation committees participated as observers, said Kari Martinez-Bailey, administrative assistant to City Manager Dan McKeen, on Tuesday.
Rosand said last Friday she picked up from the post office and the city drop-box fewer surveys than she had anticipated, saying a job she thought would take a week would likely be completed by Tuesday.
The surveys were counted by hand.
Once the count was complete, Rosand filled out a certification form and took it to McKeen’s office.
The non-binding advisory poll was approved by the Port Angeles City Council on Aug. 4 to seek input regarding the fluoridation of the city’s municipal water supply.
City staff will provide the final results to the City Council at its meeting next Tuesday, which is scheduled at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
The council will discuss the results and make a decision on how to proceed, McKeen said.
The city’s contract requires it to continue adding fluoride to the municipal water supply until May 18.
After that date, fluoridation will continue unless the council votes to stop the process and cancel future contracts.
In addition to the survey, the council also held two public meetings on fluoridation, on Oct. 22 and 29.
“Based on their directions to staff, I believe they will take the information they have gathered from the public and council educational forums, and will discuss the issue,” McKeen said.
At the Oct. 22 meeting, pro and con committee members answered questions and addressed the council.
Dr. Tom Locke served as the chair of the “for” fluoridation committee, and Dr. Eloise Kailin served as chair of the “against” fluoridation committee.
The Clallam County League of Women Voters provided a moderator and timers to ensure neutrality of the proceedings.
On Oct. 29, the council held a three-hour public comment period devoted to residents.
This session was also moderated and timed by the League of Women Voters.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
