It's beginning to look like fluoride is a go in Portland.

on Thursday announced his support to

. Fish joins Commissioner Randy Leonard, who is pushing the effort, meaning all three of the remaining Portland City Council would need to be in opposition for the effort to stall.

That's unlikely to happen, as Mayor Sam Adams and Leonard typically vote in bloc, while Commissioner Dan Saltzman regularly pushes for children's issues and Commissioner Amanda Fritz is a former psychiatric nurse.

"It's time for Portland to join the majority of cities across the nation and fluoridate our water," Fish, who is on vacation, said in a

. "When this issue comes to council, I will vote to protect the basic health of all our children."

Adding fluoride to Portland's water would cost an estimated

. But it would take at least five years to get the program up and running, according to the Portland Water Bureau.

A proposal is expected to head to the City Council in September. Saltzman and Fritz are on vacation this week. Adams' spokeswoman Caryn Brooks said in an email that Adams had yet to make up his mind.

"The mayor is currently researching the topic and looks forward to hearing feedback from Portlanders before he makes a decision," she wrote.

Staff for the City Council have received several hundred phone calls about fluoridation since The Oregonian first reported the push last week.

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