Sustainability has proven to be an essential part of Dubuque’s community. For the past 55 years, the Dubuque City Council has put fluoride into the city’s water system.

However, one member of Dubuque can take it one step further through eliminating this element that’s filtered in our tap water.

“92,000,274 pounds of this acid, 97% of that is wasted, where does it go? The water goes down the drain into the river.” Says Dubuque citizen Sandy Amberg

Fluoride is an additive that helps keep peoples teeth healthy who possibly can’t afford dental care on their own, but it may be taking a dangerous toll on our environment.

“The government decided that they were going to put this medicine in my water” Sandy Amberg informed LCTV

The water Department is taking high measures to ensure the citizens aren’t drinking harmful water. They have recently purchased a new fluoride tank which will ensure that the fluoride emissions are low. This tank is so dangerous though, because of the high percentage of fluoride that it has to be held outside to keep people safe.

When some citizens found out about this new ingredient in our water, they were concerned for their health, even though fluoride is only harmful in large doses. The reason for their concern is the fact that fluoride is causing harmful pollution in the Mississippi River, which is not helping improve the environment.