REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Chau Vu, Director of Public Works
PREPARED BY: John Poehler, Deputy Director of Public Works
Subject:
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Request for City Council Direction Regarding an Operating Permit Amendment from the California State Water Resources Control Board to Discontinue Supplemental Fluoridation of the City’s Drinking Water Supply
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Statement of Issue:
The City of Huntington Beach currently supplements its drinking water supply with Fluorosilicic Acid in accordance with its Domestic Water Supply Permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water. Direction is requested from the City Council regarding whether staff should pursue an amendment to the City’s operating permit to discontinue supplemental fluoridation.
Financial Impact:
The Water Master Plan (507) contains $6.7 million in on-site Fluoride Generation projects that would not be needed if the City discontinues supplemental fluoridation. The Water Fund (506) annually spends $150,755 on fluoride purchase and maintenance. Decommissioning fluoride equipment would result in one-time costs that are projected to be minimal.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Direct staff to submit a request to the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, to amend the City’s Domestic Water Supply Permit to discontinue supplemental fluoridation.
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Alternative Action(s):
1. Take no action at this time
2. Direct staff accordingly
Analysis:
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral present in many groundwater and surface water sources. Supplemental fluoridation refers to the controlled addition of fluoride compounds to drinking water to achieve a target concentration. In 2025, U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., removed the recommendation by Center for Disease Control and Prevention of adding fluoride to community drinking supplies.
The City of Huntington Beach currently supplements fluoride at its water treatment facilities in accordance with regulatory requirements established by the California State Water Resources Control Board and consistent with permit conditions governing the operation of the municipal water system.
The State of California enacted the California Fluoridation Act requiring certain public water systems serving more than 10,000 service connections to fluoridate drinking water when outside funding for capital costs is available. The City’s fluoridation program was implemented pursuant to this framework and is reflected in the City’s operating permit issued by the Division of Drinking Water.
Current Operations
The Utilities Division manages fluoridation through chemical feed systems located at the City’s water treatment and blending facilities. Staff monitor and control fluoride levels to maintain concentrations within regulatory limits established by state and federal drinking water standards.
Operational responsibilities include:
• Chemical procurement and storage
• Metering and dosing systems
• Monitoring and laboratory sampling
• Regulatory reporting and compliance
The City remains fully compliant with all current regulatory requirements related to fluoridation.
Advisory Ballot Measure
In the 1970s a previous ballot measure presented to Huntington Beach voters expressed public support for fluoridation of the City’s water supply. Based on recent legal review, the measure was advisory in nature and was not codified into the Huntington Beach Municipal Code.
As such, the measure reflects voter sentiment at that time but does not establish a binding legal requirement regarding fluoridation practices by the City of Huntington Beach. Policy direction regarding fluoridation remains within the authority of the City Council.
Regulatory Process to Discontinue Fluoridation
If the City Council directs staff to discontinue supplemental fluoridation, the City would be required to submit a request to the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, to amend the City’s Domestic Water Supply Permit.
The permit amendment process would generally include:
• Submittal of a formal request to the Division of Drinking Water
• Review by the State regulatory agency
• Approval of system modifications and operational changes
• Decommissioning or removal of fluoridation equipment
Fluoride would continue to occur naturally in the City’s water supply at background concentrations between 0.4-0.5 parts per million (ppm) based on 85% groundwater at 0.4-0.5ppm and 15% blended Metropolitan import water at 0.7 ppm.
Considerations
City Council direction may consider a range of factors including:
• Public health perspectives and recommendations from health agencies
• Community input and historical voter sentiment
• Operational safety considerations for the water utility
• Long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs of fluoridation systems
• Regulatory compliance requirements
Staff will implement the policy direction provided by the City Council.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 6 - Infrastructure Investment, Strategy D - Undertake major planning efforts including Fleet Capital Replacement Plan, Mobility Master Plan and Infrastructure Report Card to adequately anticipate and prepare for future infrastructure needs.
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan.
Attachment(s):
1. DDW Annual Fluoride Cost Report 2025
2. Citations from Domestic Water Supply Permit
3. CA Health and Safety Code
4. PowerPoint Presentation