Isn’t the legislation requiring communities of 10,000 or more to fluoridate their water supplies an unfunded mandate on local communities?
No. There is no unfunded mandate in the legislation (HB 3099 & SB 33). The legislation expressly exempts community water suppliers from fluoridation requirements unless and until they have sufficient funds to purchase needed equipment from a source other than their ratepayers, shareholders, bondholders or taxpayers. Private grants and contributions are available to provide this common-sense public health resource that will benefit most Oregonians, especially children and seniors who will see the greatest benefit. The ongoing cost of fluoridating water is only about $1 per person per year, while a single filling at a dental office costs nearly $100.
