Pinellas Park council votes to restore fluoride to drinking water

PINELLAS PARK — Council members here unanimously agreed Tuesday to restore fluoride to the drinking water they get from the county.

The decision came after they heard arguments from those who supported the addition and those who opposed it. But Pinellas Park won't immediately add fluoride to the water. The city plans to apply for a grant to pay for the bulk of the estimated $108,750 cost of buying and installing the equipment.

Officials will know in July if they receive the state grant. If they do not, the equipment will be included in the 2012-13 budget year, which begins Oct. 1 and would be installed then.

The city decided to explore the possibility of putting fluoride in the drinking water they buy from the county after Pinellas commissioners decided to eliminate it as of Dec. 31.

Pinellas Park officials estimate it will cost the city about $70,500 a year, or about $1.40 per water customer per year, to pay for the manpower, fluoride and other costs.