Fluoride is being reintroduced into Calgary’s drinking water, which will also affect residents of Airdrie since they receive their drinking water from the City.
As per Council’s direction to prevent dental cavities and improve oral health, newly installed equipment at Calgary’s two water treatment plants will start introducing fluoride as of June 30, 2025.
Fluoride was first introduced into Calgary’s drinking water in 1991, remaining fluoridated for 20 years until City Council directed Administration to discontinue the practice in 2011.
The Council decision to reintroduce fluoride was made one month after a plebiscite in 2021, which found 62 per cent of respondents were in support of adding it back in.
According to the City of Calgary, research shows fluoride is safe at low levels and is a cost-effective way to improve dental health.
“Over 90 national and international governments and health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), endorse the fluoridation of drinking water to prevent tooth decay,” the City shared on their web page.
Fluoride is present in minerals and naturally found in water, air, soil and almost all foods. The addition of fluoride will not change the taste, smell, or appearance of drinking water.
Health Canada’s Guidance on Community Water Fluoridation recommends optimal fluoride levels to be 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which considers the fluoride that people get from other sources like toothpaste and mouth rinse.
The infrastructure cost to reintroduce fluoride at Calgary’s two water treatment plants was $28.1 million with additional annual costs of $1 million for operating and maintenance at both plants.
“This translates into less than 10 cents per person, per month,” the City shared.
The reintroduction of fluoride in Calgary and Airdrie’s drinking water comes as U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in the United States.
Original article online at: https://www.airdriecityview.com/local-news/fluoride-to-be-reintroduced-into-airdries-drinking-water-10739216