Process to remove fluoride from Utah water systems costly, but will save dollars

LAYTON — Workers with the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District are making early preparations to remove additive fluoride from their systems.

Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to sign HB81 into law, which would ban the chemical from water systems, starting in May.

Scott Paxman, CEO and general manager at the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, estimates they'll need to remove several thousands of gallons from distribution stations that send the additive into Davis County drinking water.

"There's 10 facilities that we have to clean and remove any remaining fluorosilicic acid out of," Paxman said. "The removal, transport and disposal of the fluorosilicic acid is very regulated because it is a hazardous waste, a hazardous material."

While there is evidence that the chemical can help fight and prevent cavities, Paxman said he is grateful his employees will no longer have to handle it, as it can be dangerous in the highly concentrated form.

"We've got operators that had severe migraines just because of their walking in and out of the building every day," Paxman said. "There's some health effects, definitely because of the off-gassing of the fluorosilicic acid and then the handling of any spills or anything like that."

Once the fluoride is out of the system, Paxman said there will be an overall savings, but it will take time. Initially, he said the cost of removing it would offset any savings in the first year.

"Between about $250,000 to $300,000 per year in savings by not feeding the fluorosilicic acid," Paxman said. "That's chemical costs, that's manpower, that's operation and maintenance costs on the buildings."

Those savings will be passed on to the customer but should be very small when divided up per household.

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