Understanding Measure S

What does fluoridation mean to Sunnyvale?

By Daniel Hindin

Measure S has been a center of controversey in Sunnyvale in recent months. On Nov. 7 residents of Sunnyvale will finally have to decide the issue which Measure S hinges upon: Should the city of Sunnyvale accept fluoridated water from its water suppliers?

The water "suppliers" in question are really just one supplier, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). At present, the SFPUC, which provides Sunnyvale with 40 percent to 60 percent of its water depending on the year, only fluoridates some of its water. The SFPUC water, which is sent to the portion of Sunnyvale north of El Camino Real, is referred to as Hetch-Hetchy water. The SFPUC is considering replacing its present fluoridation station on the San Francisco Peninsula with a new facility in the East Bay. If it selects the East Bay alternative, all SFPUC water would be fluoridated. If Sunnyvale wishes to continue receiving water from the SFPUC--the existing contract stands through 2009-- the city will have to accept the fluoridated water.

The city's position is clear. Despite deciding at its August 15 meeting that it would not take a position on Measure S, the City Council voted on Oct. 17 to support the measure. In fact, two city council members wrote the official argument in favor of fluoridation. It argues fluoridation is good for people, the costs are too high not to accept fluoridated water and the potential danger of a water shortage is too high to depend on one main source.

The debate over fluoridation is not new to Sunnyvale. On May 19, 1953, petitions were presented to the City to require a vote of the electorate prior to the fluoridation of water. As a result, on June 2, 1953, the city council adopted Ordinance 379, which now stands in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 12.32.010 under the heading of 'Approval of Voters Required.' It states:

No fluorine, fluorides, or any other compounds of fluorine shall be placed in the water supply of the City of Sunnyvale without the approval of a majority of the voters thereon at a general or special election.

Subsequent municipal elections concerning fluoridation were held on Nov. 2, 1954 and April 13, 1965, which, if passed, would have required fluoridation. Both failed. So, once again Sunnyvale voters face a similar decision.

However, the decision is not whether or not to fluoridate Sunnyvale's water. The decision is whether or not to accept fluoridated Hetch-Hetchy water if the SFPUC decides to move its facility to the East Bay.

If Measure S passes and the SFPUC decides on the East Bay option, North Sunnyvale's water will be fluoridated. If Measure S passes and the SFPUC decides on another option, Sunnyvale's water will remain unfluoridated. If Measure S doesn't pass and the SFPUC decides on another option, Sunnyvale's water will remain unfluoridated for the time being. Sunnyvale can carry out all of these possibilities fairly easily for little or no cost.

However, if Measure S doesn't pass and the SFPUC decides on the East Bay option, Sunnyvale will have to search for another water source for the northern portion of the city.

A small portion of Sunnyvale's water comes from underground wells. The amount of water taken from this source is negligible, and it wouldn't make up for the amount usually taken from Hetch-Hetchy. Another 40 to 60 percent of Sunnyvale's water comes from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD). Usually, it is possible to substitute the loss of Hetch-Hetchy water with water from the SCVWD.

However, this doesn't take natural phenomena into consideration. During a drought year, one source may not be enough. Furthermore,in the immediate aftermath of the 1989 earthquake, Sunnyvale couldn't access the SCVWD water for a 24-hour period. But because wasn't dependent on one single source, it was able to turn to the SFPUC until connections to the Hetch-Hetchy water were restored.

Then there is the issue of cost. While the estimates remain highly disputed, the fact is it will cost millions of dollars to replace the Hetch-Hetchy water.

Additional expenses would include paying off the remaining six years of the contract with the SFPUC. Sunnyvale would have to pay from 2003, when fluoridation is expected to happen, until 2009, all while paying for replacement water and installing new pipelines to carry the SCVWD water to north Sunnyvale.

There is a strong contingent that opposes fluoridation, arguing that fluoride does much more harm than good for people. Opponents cite studies and the opinions of scientists who say fluoride can cause osteoporosis, cancer and fluorosis--spotty discoloration, and in extreme cases, deterioration of teeth.

These same studies show fluoride's toxicity level is on par with that of lead and arsenic. Opponents states the FDA still lists as an 'unapproved drug.'

Supporters of fluoridation maintain that fluoride is good for fighting cavities, citing the most recent study commissioned by the British government. Considered the most comprehensive study on fluoride, it studied the results of 214 other studies. Although the conclusion was that fluoride probably does more good then harm, it conceded fluorosis occurs in 48 percent of fluoridated water drinkers and that 12.5 percent experience brown patches on their teeth.

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