Fluoridated Water Still a No-Go at Dorothy Nolan Elementary

The Wilton Water and Sewer Authority board listens to public comments prior to voting on whether or not to fluoridate the town’s water supply. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

WILTON — The Wilton Water and Sewer Authority (WWSA) voted unanimously at a board meeting last month not to fluoridate the town’s water supply. The decision impacts Saratoga Springs School District’s Dorothy Nolan Elementary, which has around 700 students, and receives its water from the Town of Wilton.

The vote reaffirmed a previous March 19 vote that was deemed informal by the WWSA due to what it called a minor procedural error

The WWSA board meeting on May 21 was well attended, with a majority of speakers opposing fluoridation. Anti-fluoridation advocates primarily cited freedom of choice, arguing that if a majority of town residents wanted fluoridated water, the town would’ve had it by now. 

Anti-fluoridation attendees also cited a recent University of Southern California study, which suggested that pregnant women exposed to fluoride could face an increased risk of their child demonstrating behavioral problems. Some experts have called the study limited in scope, and said that further investigation is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.

Pro-fluoridation activists cited the United States’ long history of fluoridating its water supply, as well as abundant research that demonstrates fluoride’s ability to reduce tooth decay in children. An online petition calling for Wilton to fluoridate its water had 336 signatures as of June 10.

Despite a claim to the contrary from one pro-fluoridation advocates, Dorothy Nolan is not the only school in the Saratoga Springs City School District that doesn’t have fluoridated water. According to Maura Manny, Director of Community Outreach and Communications for the district, Maple Avenue Middle School and Greenfield Elementary also lack fluoridated water.