Fluoride In Calgary's Drinking Water

Calgary, Alberta, has had a long and often contentious history with water fluoridation, marked by multiple reversals and public debates. The city first introduced fluoride into its municipal water supply in 1991 following a public vote. This move aligned Calgary with national and international public health recommendations that supported water fluoridation as a way to prevent tooth decay, especially in populations with limited access to dental care. However, in 2011, the City Council voted to remove fluoride from the water without holding another public vote. The decision was largely driven by concerns over costs and questions about the effectiveness of fluoridation, as well as a desire to avoid adding chemicals to the water supply without clear public consent.

In 2021, fluoride returned to the public agenda when Calgary held another public vote during the municipal election. This time, more than half of voters supported reintroducing fluoride into the drinking water. City Council approved the reintroduction based on the public vote results, and infrastructure upgrades are currently underway to resume fluoridation, which is expected to be completed by June 30th, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, and certain foods. It is a form of the chemical element fluorine, and it can help strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resistant to decay when used in small amounts.

Fluoride is commonly added to dental products like toothpaste and mouth rinses, and in some places, it’s added to drinking water as a public health measure. While it can have dental benefits, there is ongoing debate about the appropriate level of fluoride exposure and potential health effects from long-term use.

Fluoride is added to some municipal water supplies in Canada as a public health measure intended to reduce tooth decay. Supporters argue that it helps strengthen tooth enamel and lowers the risk of cavities.

Health Concerns: Some residents worry about possible adverse effects from fluoride, such as dental fluorosis (white or brown stains on teeth), skeletal fluorosis (bone and joint problems), and potential links to thyroid issues, neurotoxicity, or other chronic health conditions, particularly in children who are more susceptible to fluoride toxicity.

Uncontrolled Dosage: Unlike medications, water fluoridation delivers the same fluoride concentration to everyone, regardless of age, health status, or individual needs. This means people who drink more water due to medical conditions—may ingest higher amounts of fluoride than intended.

Availability from Other Sources: Many argue that fluoride is already widely available through toothpaste, mouth rinses, and certain foods, making water fluoridation unnecessary and increasing the risk of excessive intake.

Preference for Topical vs. Systemic Exposure: Some believe the benefits of fluoride are primarily topical (directly on the teeth) rather than systemic (through ingestion), and therefore prefer using fluoride-containing dental products over adding it to the water supply.

Lack of Consent and Choice: Adding fluoride to public water supplies removes individual choice, as residents cannot easily opt out if they wish to avoid fluoride for personal or health reasons.

Doubts About Effectiveness and Safety: Some residents question the scientific evidence supporting water fluoridation’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, noting that many developed countries do not fluoridate their water and still experience declines in dental cavities.

Concerns About Contaminants: There are worries that chemicals used to fluoridate water may introduce trace contaminants, such as arsenic or lead, though studies generally show these are below harmful levels

Yes, Using a Reverse Osmosis System at home can reduce the fluoride in your water supply by up to 95%.

This method of reduction pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes fluoride along with many other contaminants. Reverse Osmosis is the most common and effective option for home use.

If you have an questions regarding fluoride reduction please don't hesitate to contact us!