Fluoride Reintroduction Project Update
Commissioning of the newly installed equipment at the Glenmore and Bearspaw Water Treatment Plants is nearly complete and fluoride will start being reintroduced into drinking water starting Monday, June 30, 2025.
The City of Calgary follows Health Canada’s Guidance for Community Water Fluoridation, which identifies optimal fluoride levels to be 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to prevent and reduce tooth decay. To protect public health, we will begin adding fluoride gradually, carefully monitoring and adjusting the levels until we achieve the 0.7 mg/L optimal level.
Council directed Administration to implement water fluoridation of the drinking water system in November 2021. This decision was informed by a plebiscite during the 2021 General Election where 62 per cent of voters were in favour of reintroducing fluoride. Once fluoride is reintroduced, Calgary will join Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer and other Alberta municipalities that add fluoride to drinking water.
More information can be found at Calgary.ca/fluoride.
Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality continues to recommend optimal fluoride dosing to be 0.7 mg/L and has set a maximum allowable concentration of 1.5 mg/L. Health Canada notes that fluoride may be added to the water supply to promote dental health. Due to the natural fluctuating fluoride concentrations in Calgary’s source water, the treatment plants would adjust fluoride dosing concentrations accordingly to ensure that the target concentration of 0.7 mg/L would be maintained. Health Canada, the Government of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services will not mandate fluoridation upon The City. However, these bodies do support the practice of fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure.
Alberta Health Services’ position on fluoridation is as follows: “Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services recognize that community water fluoridation effectively prevents tooth decay, especially among people who are most vulnerable. It offers significant benefits with very low risk and reaches all residents who are connected to a municipal water supply. Therefore, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services endorse community water fluoridation as a foundational public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.” The Government of Alberta supports community water fluoridation as an important step for preventing tooth decay, stating “Community water fluoridation is safe. There’s fluoride in all fresh water. Community water fluoridation adjusts the fluoride level in the public water supply to prevent tooth decay. The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality sets a safe level of fluoride in water to protect you from tooth decay.”
The City has recently updated their website with more information, including some health-related FAQs provided by Alberta Health Services. You can learn more by visiting calgary.ca/fluoride.
FAQ’s
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is present in minerals, and therefore naturally found in air, water, soil and almost all foods.
Does fluoride occur naturally in our drinking water?
Fluoride naturally occurs in the Bow and Elbow Rivers, in levels varying throughout the year, ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 milligrams per litre (mg/L).
What do health agencies say about community water fluoridation?
“Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services recognize that community water fluoridation effectively prevents tooth decay, especially among people who are most vulnerable. It offers significant benefits with very low risk and reaches all residents who are connected to a municipal water supply. Therefore, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services endorse community water fluoridation as a foundational public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.” | Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services
“Community water fluoridation remains a safe, cost effective and equitable public health practice and an important tool in protecting and maintaining the health and well-being of Canadians.” | Public Health Agency of Canada
If fluoride is already naturally in the water, why do we need to add more?
According to Alberta Health Services, natural fluoride levels in the water supply are found in different concentrations, and when the concentration is below the recommended level it’s not effective in preventing tooth decay. Fluoride levels commonly found in water supplies are around 0.1 to 0.4 mg/L, which are too low to prevent cavities. Community water fluoridation is a public health initiative to adjust the concentration of fluoride in drinking water supplies to reach Health Canada’s target of 0.7 mg/L, that scientific research shows to provide optimal dental benefits.
Why do we need fluoride in our water if we use toothpaste?
According to Alberta Health Services, the concentration of fluoride in water supplies recommended by Health Canada takes into account fluoride intake from multiple sources. Getting fluoride from different sources provides the best protection from tooth decay. Brushing every day with fluoride toothpaste and drinking tap water with fluoride are great ways to prevent tooth decay. There are also other sources of fluoride, such as professionally applied fluoride therapies which add extra protection.
Are there any health risks associated with water fluoridation?
No. According to Health Canada, the optimal fluoride concentration level (0.7 mg/L), provides the optimal dental benefits while minimizing any health risk including dental fluorosis, which affects the look of the tooth with small white specks. The optimal level recommended also takes into consideration the fluoride that people are getting from other sources, like fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinse.
Is drinking fluoridated water safe for my kids? I’ve heard that children exposed to higher fluoride levels have lower IQs.
According to Alberta Health Services, fluoridated drinking water at the recommended level (0.7 mg/l) is safe for children and adults.
The Canadian Dental Association closely monitors scientific developments and remains confident in the current consensus, which is based on evidence provided by quality research, that fluoridation at optimal levels poses no risk to cognitive health, including IQ.
What happened to cavity rates when fluoride was removed from drinking water in 2011?
After Calgary stopped fluoridating water in 2011, researchers at the University of Calgary conducted a study on tooth decay from a large sample of children in Calgary and Edmonton, where fluoridation started in 1967 and remains to date.
The research confirmed the removal of fluoride from drinking water had a negative impact on children’s oral health, where a significantly higher number of cavities were found amongst Calgary children compared to Edmonton children. You can read the full study HERE
Is fluoridated water safe for my pets to drink?
Yes. According to Alberta Health Services, the recommended fluoride level in drinking water is safe for pets to drink.
Can you taste fluoride in drinking water?
Fluoridation won’t change the taste, smell or appearance of your drinking water.
Can I remove fluoride from my drinking water at home?
Fluoride can be removed from your drinking water at home using a specialized filtration system. Look for equipment certified to NSF/ANSI 58 (American National Standards Institute). More information can be found in the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Government of Alberta website.
Is there fluoride in bottled water?
The amount of fluoride in bottled water depends on the source of the water and the bottling processes. We recommend checking with the manufacturer for specific details regarding the presence of fluoride in their bottled water.
Does fluoride impact pipes in any way?
No. There is no scientific evidence to support that fluoride negatively impacts water pipes.
How does this impact regional customers who receive water from The City?
Water supplied to regional customers is the same water as provided within Calgary and will have fluoride added. The City of Calgary provides drinking water to The City of Chestermere, The City of Airdrie, The Town of Strathmore and portions of Foothills County, Rocky View County and Tsuut’ina Nation.
Each municipality enters into a Master Servicing Agreement that governs the provision of the water to the municipal boundary. The Master Servicing Agreement places responsibility for water quality with The City of Calgary and its Council.
Which municipalities in Alberta add fluoride to their drinking water?
Once fluoride is reintroduced, Calgary will join Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer and other Alberta municipalities that add fluoride to drinking water.
For answer to additional FAQ’s, please visit calgary.ca/fluoride.