Fluoride missing from Gilbert water treatment
Aug 24, 2012, 12:18 PM | Updated: 12:18 pm
PHOENIX — A dozen years ago the city of Gilbert voted for fluoridation, but for the past 13 months the controversial cavity-fighting chemical hasn’t been added to the city’s North Water Treatment Facility.
Two town officials, Public Works director Lonnie Frost and water manager Chris Ochs have been placed on paid leave.
Gilbert communications director Dana Berchman said town management discovered on Aug. 14 the system that puts fluoride in the water had been inoperable.
“Town employees are in charge of adding the fluoride to the system through a machine,” Berchman said.
“Because they are oversee the fluoridation of the water they have been put on leave while we conduct a thorough investigation,” Berchman said.
It’s unclear if this was accidental or intentional.
The city expects to have more answers by the end of next week.