The Bartlesville City Council meeting held on May 5, 2025, featured a significant discussion regarding the use of fluoride in the city's water supply. The meeting began with public comments, where residents expressed their concerns about the addition of hydrofluorosilicic acid to the water.

The first speaker, identified as Maha, urged the council to eliminate hydrofluorosilicic acid, citing it as a neurotoxin that could lower IQ and negatively impact health. Maha referenced the discontinuation of fluoride use in Shawnee and emphasized that fluoride is not the same as the element fluorine. They highlighted that toothpaste packaging warns against swallowing fluoride and suggested that the city should stop adding it to the water supply.

Following Maha, Colin Whit Whitley, who identified himself as a municipal government veteran, echoed similar sentiments. He questioned the rationale behind adding fluoride, suggesting that it could create more problems than it solves. Whit Whitley pointed out that while chlorine is necessary for water safety, fluoride is not essential and that many communities are moving away from its use.

The meeting continued with additional public comments, but the focus on fluoride raised important questions about public health and water safety. The council did not make any immediate decisions regarding the fluoride issue during this session, but the discussions highlighted a growing concern among residents about the chemical's impact on health.

As the meeting concluded, the council acknowledged the public's input and indicated that further discussions on the topic would be necessary. The next steps regarding the water supply and fluoride use remain to be determined as the council considers the feedback from its constituents.