UPDATE: Pasco City Council votes 4-2 to discontinue fluoridation in the city’s drinking water.
The city will join Kennewick and Richland in keeping fluoride out of the water.
The decision comes after council members discussed putting the issue on the November 2026 ballot.
PASCO, Wash. – The Pasco City Council will consider whether to continue or discontinue fluoridating the city’s drinking water at their upcoming meeting on November 17.
Pasco has added fluoride to its water since November 1998, following a resolution that aimed to provide dental health benefits.
The current fluoride level is approximately 0.7 parts per million, as recommended by the Washington State Department of Health.
The decision will come after a 90-day public notice period that ended on September 29, 2025.
During this time, community feedback was gathered, revealing diverse opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of fluoridation.
The council has several options: discontinue fluoridation, continue at current levels, put the matter to a public vote, or defer any action for further consideration.
Discontinuing fluoridation may lower ongoing costs but could incur one-time expenses for adjustments and public communication.
Continuing fluoridation would maintain current operations without significant changes.
A ballot measure would involve election costs and extend the decision timeline.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: November 16 at 6:10 p.m.
