Calgary adding fluoride back into drinking water starting on June 30

For more than 10 years, Calgary stood out for not adding fluoride to the drinking water. In a month, water from the taps will have fluoride again.

Fluoride will officially be reintroduced to Calgary’s drinking water at the end of June.

In a news release Thursday, the City of Calgary announced that the long-planned addition will start on June 30.

The city says it is adding fluoride back into the drinking water supply “as a safe and effective public health measure to prevent dental cavities and improve oral health.”

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“Fluoride is present in minerals and found naturally in soil, air and water. For healthy teeth, natural occurring fluoride levels in the Bow and Elbow Rivers will be supplemented to help protect against tooth decay,” the city said.

“The treatment plants will increase fluoride to the optimal level of 0.7 milligrams per litre (mg/L) as recommended by Health Canada’s Guidance for Community Water Fluoridation.”

The reintroduction of fluoride was approved by a plebiscite as part of the 2021 civic general election, with 62 per cent of people voting in support.

The city spent $28.1 million on infrastructure costs to facilitate the reintroduction, plus additional annual costs of $1 million for operating and maintenance at both water treatment plants.

The Alberta Dental Association is applauding the announcement, saying since fluoride was removed from the water, the frequency of decay and cavities increased in patients.

“It’s been well shown due to the differences we’ve seen with Calgary not having fluoride for a few years and Edmonton having fluoride, there’s a significant difference in how many patients in Calgary have started getting more cavities,” Dr. Hans Herchen, president of the Alberta Dental Association, said.

“It’s being used on tens and hundreds of millions of people around the world, and we know very confidently that it’s safe and effective.”

Some around the city, however, are hesitant about re-fluoridation.

“I’m no scientist, no expert. I think it’s important that we do the research. I think people need to make informed consent,” John Williams, the co-founder of A Better Calgary Party, said.

Ward 9 Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra was on city council when fluoride was taken out of the water and voted to remove it. Now, he’s glad it’s back.

“Part of my reversal on fluoride was, at the time, people were saying, ‘We don’t want it in our water, we didn’t think it did that much,’” Carra said.