Emerald Coast Utilities Authority News Page

Fluoridation Program
An Update*

History
In the Spring of 1998, the ECUA Board was approached by a group of local citizens and health care professionals regarding the possible fluoridation of ECUA water.  The issue was discussed extensively at ECUA Board meetings for several months, with citizens debating the merits of the proposed program.  Two public hearings were scheduled in July and August of 1998, to elicit further feedback from members of the community.   Finally, the ECUA Board put the question to the citizens of Escambia County in a non-binding referendum, held on Election Day in November 1998.  Voters endorsed adding fluoride to the ECUA water system by a margin of 58%.

As such, the ECUA Board voted, at its Nov. 19, 1998 regular Board meeting, to implement a three-year , phased program for the addition of fluoride to the water system.  Six of the thirty-two wells in the ECUA system were identified for the initial implementation based on their location within the system, and their pumping capacities.  The six wells identified for the first phase are:  Sweeney Well (at Ten-Mile Rd. & Hwy. 29), Broad Well (at Hwy. 29 & I-10), McAllister Well ( north side of the airport), Spanish Trail Well (east side of the airport), Villa Well (at Hwy. 98 & Fairfield Dr.) and the West Pensacola Well (at Lillian Hwy. and Mobile Hwy.)

The ECUA contracted with the consulting firm of Camp, Dresser and McKee (CDM), of Panama City, Florida, to assist in the planning and engineering phases of the project.  CDM was to provide cost information, and make recommendations in six major categories.  These are:

1. Selection of the appropriate type of fluoride for use.

2. Method of storage and delivery of the fluoride to each well.

3. Site storage requirements at each well.

4. Building requirements to house the fluoride feed equipment.

5. Feed equipment, instrumentation, and control system.

6. Staff safety and training requirements.

In July 1999, a recommendation was made to the ECUA regarding the selection of fluoride to be used (category 1 listed above).  The ECUA Board voted to approve the use of Hydrofluosilicic acid in its fluoridation program and to initiate a project to implement the first phase (six wells) of the fluoridation program.   The Report was completed  in December 1999.  

A permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) was issued on February 27, 2001, enabling ECUA to proceed with bidding the purchase of necessary equipment, instrumentation and construction services.    The implementation of Phase 1 of the Fluoridation Program began on  September 24, 2001.  The implementation of Phase 2 began in March 2002, and was completed in September 2002.

Current Status
To date, Phases 1 and 2 (approximately 20 wells) have achieved a total optimal coverage county-wide. Phase 3 is being implemented to complete the installation of equipment at the remaining wells on an as-needed basis.

Funding
With the assistance of the Fluoridation Project Coordinator for the Public Health Dental Program of the Florida Department of Health, ECUA received a grant for funding of its fluoridation program in the amount of $550,000 over a three-year period, beginning in fiscal year 1999.

Regulatory Requirements
The ECUA Fluoride program will be implemented and operated in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Further Questions?
Should you have other questions regarding the ECUA fluoride program, please contact our Public Information Officer, Ms. Nathalie Bowers at 850-969-3300 or via e-mail at nbowers@ecua.org.