Fluoride reintroduction to Calgary’s drinking water delayed

The reintroduction of fluoride into Calgary’s drinking water is delayed again, with the city saying it needs more time to inspect and test equipment.

The City of Calgary says it will take longer than expected before fluoride will be reintroduced to Calgary’s drinking water.

In a release Thursday, officials said new equipment has been installed at both the Glenmore and Bearspaw water treatment plants but more time is needed to check, inspect and test it.

The city says if everything goes as planned, fluoride should be reintroduced during the second quarter of this year.

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“The reintroduction of fluoride is expected later in the second quarter of 2025. The original timing for reintroduction was at the end of March,” said the city’s water services department.

Residents will be informed four weeks prior to the system being brought online.

The costs to reintroduce fluoride at the Glenmore and Bearspaw facilities was approximately $28.1 million. The work included retrofitting an existing building at the Glenmore site and installing new equipment.

A new structure had to be built at the Bearspaw facility for the fluoridation equipment.

It costs about $1 million annually to operate and maintain that equipment at both plants.

The city removed fluoride from drinking water after the previous equipment had reached the end of its lifespan.

Why add fluoride to drinking water?

The city says fluoride is added to drinking water to promote good oral health.

“Health Canada, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services support the practice of community water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure to prevent and reduce tooth decay,” the city said on its website.

Guidelines for optimal fluoride levels are 0.7 milligrams per litre, which considers the amount of fluoride residents receive from other sources like toothpaste and mouthwash.

Naturally occurring fluoride exists in the Bow and Elbow Rivers, but that amount varies between 0.1 and 0.4 milligrams per litre.

The new equipment is expected to maintain the recommended 0.7 milligrams per litre.

A plebiscite in the 2021 civic general election was 62 per cent in favour of fluoridation.