USA - Fluoride battle brews between water authority, Health Department

By DAVID HOLSTED davidh@harrisondaily.com |0 comments

WESTERN GROVE — Members of the Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority (OMRPWA) board limbered up their legs on Thursday, Nov. 19, in preparation for kicking the can down the road.

Meeting at Western Grove City Hall, the board voted to have chairman Andy Anderson and board member Winton McInnis, a non-practicing attorney, meet with the board’s attorney to see what would be needed to bring a lawsuit against the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and also the cost of probability of success of such a move.

The action was taken in response to a state law that mandates fluoridation by any water system that serves more than 5,000 customers.

The OMRPWA supplies water, originating from Bull Shoals Lake, to 18 systems, which in turn services 20,000 people in four counties.

Most officials of the water system have expressed their opposition to the 2011 law mandating fluoridation. The ADH has given the water authority until the end of the year to give its response. Anderson had expected the vote to be taken at the Nov. 19 meeting. However, a special meeting was called for Dec. 17, at which time Anderson and McInnis will report their findings, and a vote is expected then.