October 2023: A group of fluoride advocates approached the City of Hillsboro Water Department and communicated their intent to put fluoridation on the ballot in November 2024.

After being notified about the plan, the Water Director commissioned a Fluoridation Assessment Study, completed in May 2024, in preparation for future action that might be needed by the department should a fluoridation measure be approved.

November 14, 2023: First public comment received from advocacy group members requesting that the Utilities Commission work with the Mayor and City Council to fluoridate Hillsboro’s water supply.

May 14, 2024:  After receiving multiple comments and requests for fluoridation from community advocates since fall 2023, the Hillsboro Utilities Commission voted to recommend to the City Council to include a fluoridation advisory measure on the ballot for the November 2024 election. A vote would inform City leadership about the community’s preference on water supply fluoridation.

June 18, 2024: The Hillsboro City Council was asked to discuss this issue and make a decision about fluoridation. The fluoridation advisory vote passed and will appear on the November 2024 ballot for consideration by City of Hillsboro voters. 

October 2024: Ballots are mailed out to Hillsboro voters. 

November 5, 2024: The Community Advisory Vote on Fluoridation is Measure 34-338 on the general election ballot. 

December 2, 2024: Washington County will certify the official results of the November 5, 2024 election results. 

December 10, 2024: The Utilities Commission will make a decision to follow the results of the Community Advisory Vote on water supply fluoridation at the regular Utilities Commission Meeting. 

What will happen after the community advisory vote?

 The City of Hillsboro’s Utilities Commission will provide direction to City staff after the results of the community advisory vote. The Utilities Commission has indicated that if the community advisory vote passes by a majority in favor of fluoridation, they will make an administrative decision to initiate a preliminary design study to fluoridate the public water supply. If a majority of the community does not vote in favor of fluoridation, then the Hillsboro Water Department (HWD) will continue to operate as they currently do today (without fluoridating the water). 

This process is expected to be followed unless a court decision or regulatory change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates a change, or if other unforeseen factors drastically increase the cost. 

How long would it take to fluoridate Hillsboro’s water supply?

The City of Hillsboro estimates a five-year implementation timeline. This would include design, permitting, and construction.  

How would fluoridation impact my utility bill?

Water system fluoridation would require initial costs to purchase, install, and test equipment, then annual costs for fluoride and maintenance. 

HWD has hired an engineering consultant to conduct a fluoridation study. Based on their findings, customer costs can be minimized through a five-year implementation plan and the delay of non-urgent projects. If fluoridation is not implemented, those projects would continue as currently scheduled. Either outcome allows HWD to maintain the current anticipated rate structure for either outcome of the community advisory vote. An updated cost estimate for fluoridating the Hillsboro water supply will be made available after a potential preliminary design is completed. 

What projects would Hillsboro Water defer to implement fluoridation?

City staff have not evaluated what projects would be deferred or delayed if the community advisory vote on fluoridation passes. Before the City can determine what projects to move around in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), preliminary design would need to be completed. After preliminary design, an evaluation would be completed to review how the project would fit into the CIP, and over what timeframe, without impacting the current rate projections. The proposed rate projections were presented at the August and September Utilities Commission meetings, and can be found here on the Utilities Commission website. Shifting around the schedule for projects in the CIP to accommodate unforeseen repair projects or address cost increases is a common and acceptable practice used to avoid additional rate impacts to our community.

How much fluoride would be added to the water supply?

The Hillsboro Water Department would follow the recommended level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is currently 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L). 

Would fluoridation impact my health? 

Customers with health-related questions or concerns about fluoride in the water supply are encouraged to seek direction from a dentist, health care provider, county health department, or the Oregon Health Authority.