Is it time to add fluoride to Spokane's drinking water?

Aug 29, 2023

News Director

SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane would pay nearly $11 million in capital costs and millions more to maintain a system that would add fluoride to the city's drinking water.

A fluoridation implementation study commissioned by the city was just released and will now be used for elected officials to consider when deciding whether or not to add fluoride.

According to a recent statewide report, 46% of people in Washington have access to fluoride-treated drinking water.

Spokane has considered it several times over the years, but has never made the decision to add fluoride to the water system.

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has said in the past she wants the issue to go to a public vote.

PAST COVERAGE: 'It should be on the ballot': Woodward says decision to fluoridate water should be up to voters

The Spokane City Council voted last year to study the issue and now the report is complete.

The 487 page report says it would cost just under $11 million to update the infrastructure and the cost to operate and maintain the system to range between $250,000 and $2 million.

The report mentions that the city's water system is supplied by seven well facilities currently in place and that an eight well facility is under construction.

Researchers say some construction would be required at each of the sites.

Now that the report is done, the City of Spokane will accept public comment between May 22 and June 5th.

Then, city leaders will determine next steps.

You can read more about the project and how to submit your comments on this page.

COPYRIGHT 2023 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

News Director

Melissa Luck is the Executive News Director at 4 News Now. Melissa joined the 4 News Now in 2002 as a General Assignment Reporter. She's worked as an anchor and manager, but reporting is her passion. She's been fortunate to cover every type of story, from the Seahawks first trip to the Super Bowl in 2006 to a polygamous cult in British Columbia. Her work has been honored with Emmy nominations and Edward R. Murrow Awards. She's most proud, though, of the journalists she's mentored over the years. Melissa is a second-generation journalist; her dad was a TV sportscaster and reporter for his entire career and she made her local news debut in Milwaukee just hours after she was born. She grew up in Great Falls, Montana and graduated from Marquette University. After internships in Milwaukee and Washington, DC, Melissa began her reporting career at KNDU-TV in Kennewick. She's completed broadcast and leadership training through the Poynter Institute, National Association of Broadcasters and the Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible TV Journalism. She represents the Northwest on the board of the Radio Television Digital News Association. She also serves on the board of Spokane-based non-profit Project Beauty Share, which provides hygiene and beauty products to non-profit organizations that serve women and families overcoming poverty, abuse and addiction. Melissa is a die-hard Marquette basketball fan, an avid WSU Cougar football fan and a voracious reader. She loves Spokane parks and Washington wine. She's married to 4 News Now Good Morning Northwest anchor Derek Deis. They have two sons, Dylan and Daniel.