No plans for fluoridation in Meadow Lake’s water system

There are no plans to reintroduce fluoridation to Meadow Lake’s water supply.

The issue was raised at the city council meeting on Monday March 14, with some councillors wondering why fluoride is no longer being added.

Fluoride appears naturally in water with levels fluctuating between 0.2 and 0.4 mg/L.  Flouridation is the addition of fluoride to a water supply to reduce tooth decay.

In 1998, Meadow Lake’s (then) town council implemented a fluoridation program, maintaining the levels at 0.7 mg/L.  Diana Burton, city manager, said the process was stopped in 2011 by council. She added there is no indication that Meadow Lake will resume fluoridation. And, if it were to happen it would come with a cost.

“The equipment that put the fluoride in the water was removed from the water treatment plant. So it would cost approximately $7,000 to purchase and reinstall and in 2011 we paid about $3,000 per year for fluoride,” Burton said.

Missing Girl

UPDATE: Have you seen Savannah?

Apr 24, 2024

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

Apr 24, 2024

Riding boundaries changing

MP Gary Vidal announces he won't seek re-election

Apr 23, 2024

According to documents obtained from council, the discussion to cease fluoridation was prompted by debates occurring in Saskatoon, as well as Calgary’s decision to stop fluoridation in 2011.

According to the Prairie North Health Region (PNHR) fluorides are minerals found naturally in rocks, soil and water. In the early 1900s it was discovered that people in communities with naturally high fluoride content in their water have low levels of tooth decay.

When fluoridation stopped, the PNHR strongly recommended fluoridation resume because it’s a safe and effective way of preventing tooth decay. In the same documents from council, PNHR said the cost of water fluoridation would be approximately $.70 per person, per year. An amount, they said, is much less in comparison to dental decay treatment costs; a statement echoed by the World Health Organization.

While major health organizations support fluoridation, one of the concerns brought up is whether the chemical is toxic. The PNHR said even substances essential for life such as water, oxygen and salt can be toxic in excess amounts. As long as fluoridation is concentrated at 0.7 mg/L, it is not toxic or harmful.

Other studies conducted include the impact on blood, bone, kidney, liver, lungs, reproduction and other bodily systems, with every outcome concluding water fluoridation at optimum levels (0.7 mg/L) does not cause adverse health effects.

Other examples of common additives used to achieve population-wide health benefits, like water fluoridation, include vitamin D being added to milk and juice to prevent rickets and folic acids added to flour to prevent birth defects.

Community water fluoridation has been practiced for over 60 years in many jurisdictions around the world.

cswiderski@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @coltonswiderski