Riverton City Council unanimously supports proposed law to remove fluoride
Related video: How a bill becomes law in Utah
RIVERTON, Utah () — The Riverton City Council has thrown its weight behind supporting a proposed Utah law that would remove fluoride from the state's public water systems.
H.B. 81 – titled – would ban the addition of mineral fluoride to public water supplies and allow pharmacists to prescribe fluoride to patients. It most recently passed out of a House Committee with a favorable 10-3 vote, with one absent. It now waits for a third reading on the House floor.
Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs said he was pleased that the city is the first to support H.B. 81 and encouraged Utah lawmakers to pass the bill. He said that regardless of fluoride's 'purported health benefits,' Utahns should have a right to choose how to use it.
READ MORE: Bill to remove fluoride from Utah's water passes House committee, moves to floor vote
'The Riverton City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the legislation prohibiting the addition of fluoride in public water systems,' announced Staggs. 'I believe it reflects the sentiments of Riverton residents and the concerns over continuing to add fluoride.'
Supporters of H.B. 81 have argued that the current levels of fluoride in Utah's water are harmful and agreed with Staggs that people should be able to choose whether or not to take fluoride.
Critics of the bill, however, argue that the removal of fluoride on people's oral health, including a possible alarming rise in cavities, particularly in children.
Staggs said he has instructed the Riverton City Public Works Department to immediately stop adding fluoride to the city-owned water systems as soon as the bill passes, should it pass.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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