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A fluoride interruption to about 280,000 homes in Edmonton and surrounding communities is being extended until late fall as a result of COVID-19.

Upgrading the fluoride storage tanks at the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant began in Sept. 2019 and was initially supposed to be completed by this past April. There hasn’t been any fluoride in the water flowing into homes serviced by this plant since last September and residents will still need to wait a few more months.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Epcor to delay the rehabilitation project in order to adhere to health and safety measures, spokeswoman Kelly Struski told Postmedia Friday. With enhanced safety protocols for workers and appropriate protective equipment in place, Struski said the goal is to resume adding fluoride by late fall.“To effectively reintroduce fluoride treatment requires our staff to be in close contact to one another for prolonged periods in a small space and needed special considerations before moving ahead,” Struski said in an email. “We have advised Alberta Environment and Parks and Alberta Health that we have delayed the reintroduction of fluoride until we are able to safely recommission the facility.”The delay impacts all homes serviced by the E.L. Smith Plant, which covers the majority of the city as well as several surrounding municipalities including Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Leduc. The northeast quadrant of the city is serviced by the Rossdale Water Treatment Plant and hasn’t had any fluoride interruption.A full list of Edmonton neighbourhoods impacted by the fluoride pause can be found on Epcor’s website. [see ?Edmonton neighbourhoods affected by fluoride interruption below]Fluoride has been added to Edmonton’s water supply since 1967 and is considered to be the easiest and most practical way to improve dental health and prevent tooth decay. When consumed, the mineral strengthens teeth by making the enamel more resistant to damage. Adding fluoride to the water supply is a decision of individual municipalities and isn’t done in some communities. It has long been a debate in Calgary, with city council most recently voting to end the process in 2011.

Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River already has fluoride levels around 0.1 parts per million so enough fluoride is added during the treatment process to bring the concentration levels up to 0.7 parts per million.

For those residents affected by the fluoride interruption, Alberta Health Services is recommending the use of fluoridated toothpaste to make up for the disruption as well as regular dental check-ups.

The water remains safe to drink during the interruption and there is no change in taste or colour.

This map highlights the areas of the city affected by the fluoride interruption. (Epcor)
This map highlights the areas of the city affected by the fluoride interruption. (Supplied by Epcor) Photo by Supplied by Epcor

*Original article online at https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/royal-mayfair-golf-club-receives-the-all-clear-for-renewal-project

?Edmonton Neighbourhoods Affected by Fluoride Interruption

Aldergrove
Klarvatten
Allard
La Perle
Allendale
Lago Lindo
Ambelside
Lansdown
Anthony Henday South
Lansdowne
Argyll
Larkspur
Aspen Gardens
Laurel
Athlone
Laurier Height
Aurora Walker
Lee Ridge
Avonmore
Leger
Baranow
Lendrum Place
Baturyn
Lorelei
Bearspaw
Lymburn
Beaumaris
Lynnwood
Belgravia
Macewan
Belle Rive
MacTaggart
Belmead
Magrath Heights
Bisset
Maple Ridge
Blackburn
Mayfield
Blackburne
McKernan
Blackmud Creek
McQueen
Blackmud Creek Ravine
McTaggart
Blue Quill Estates
Meadowlark Park
Brander Gardens
Menisa
Breckenridge Greens
Meyokumin
Britannia Youngstown
Michaels Park
Brookside
Mill Creek Ravine – South
Bulyea Heights
Minchau
Caenarvon
North Glenora
Callaghan
Ogilvie Ridge
Callingwood North
Oleskiw
Callingwood South
Ormsby Place
Cameron Heights
Oxford
Cannell
Parkallen
Canora
Parkview
Canossa
Parsons Industrial
Carlisle
Patricia Heights
Carlton
Pembina
Carter Crest
Pleasant View
Castle Downs
Pollard Meadows
Chambery
Queen Alexandra
Chappelle Gardens
Quesnell Heights
Charlesworth
Ramsay Heights
Crawford Plains
Rapperswill
Creekwood Chappelle
Rhatigan Ridge
Crestwood
Richfield
Crystallina Nera
Rideau Park
Cumberland
Rio Terrace
Daly Grove
Ritchie
Dechene
River Valley Cameron
Donsdale
River Valley Oleskiw
Dovercourt
Royal Gardens
Duggan
Rutherford
Dunluce
Sakaw
Eaux Claires
Satoo
Ekota
Schonsee
Ellerslie
Sherwood
Elmwood
Silber Berry
Elsinore
Skyrattler
Empire Park
Southwest Edmonton
Erminskin
Steinhauer
Falconer Heights
Strathcona Junction
Gariepy
Summerlea
Glenora
Summerside
Glastonbury
Sweet Grass
Glenridding Heights
Tamarack
Glenwood
Tamarack Wild Rose
Granview Heights
Tawa
Granville
Terra Losa
Greenfield
Terwillegar South
Greenview
Terwillegar Towne
Griesbach
The Hamptons
Grovenor
The Orchards at Ellerslie
Haddow
The Palisades
Hazeldean
Thorncliff
Henderson Estates
Tipaskan
Heritage Valley Area
Tweddle Place
High Park
Twin Brooks
Hillview
Wedgewood Heights
Hodgson
Weinlos
Hudson
Wellington
Jackson Heights
West Edmonton
Jagare Ridge
West Jasper Place
Jamieson Place
Westridge
Jasper Park
Whitemud Creek Ravine North
Jasper Place
Whitemud Creek Ravine South
Kameyosek
Windermere
Keheewin
Windermere Area
Kensington
Windermere Estates
Keswick
Woodcroft
Kiniski Gardens