Fluoride in Calgary's water
Current status
We’re working on reintroducing fluoride into our drinking water, as per Council’s direction in late 2021. Commissioning of newly installed equipment at Calgary’s two water treatment plants is currently underway. If commissioning goes as planned, we expect fluoridation to be in place by the end of March 2025.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in water, air, soil and almost all foods. Fluorides are commonly released into the environment by erosion resulting in natural concentrations in surface and ground waters.
Fluoridation doesn’t change the taste, smell or appearance of water.
Health Canada fluoride guidelines
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.
Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality continue to recommend optimal fluoride dosing to be 0.7 milligrams per litre (mg/L). This level takes into consideration the fluoride that people are getting from other sources like fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinse.
Fluoride naturally occurs in the Bow and Elbow Rivers; however, due to the natural fluctuating concentrations in the rivers (ranging from 0.1-0.4 mg/L), the new fluoridation systems at the treatment plants will adjust fluoride concentrations to maintain 0.7 mg/L in the drinking water.
We're committed to ensuring drinking water is of high quality, safe to drink, reliable and available for Calgarians. Further public health information on fluoride can be found on the following links:
Questions about your drinking water?
For answers to common drinking water questions like water hardness, water taste, odour or appereance, or water pressure, visit Drinking Water in Calgary.
Infrastructure upgrades
The reintroduction of fluoride into the water system required significant infrastructure upgrades at Calgary’s two water treatment plants. Existing infrastructure had reached the end of its lifecycle in 2011 and was removed following Council’s previous decision to stop fluoridation.
Capital upgrades started in September 2023 and included:
- A retrofit of an existing building at the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant and installing the new fluoride equipment.
- A new building at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to house the fluoride equipment.
Costs:
The infrastructure costs to reintroduce fluoride at Calgary’s two water treatment plants was $28.1M with annual costs of $1M for operating and maintenance at both plants.
This is funded through water rates and services and was included in The City’s approved annual water rate. There is no support from property taxes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How was the decision made to re-introduce fluoride?
The decision to fluoridate Calgary’s drinking water was made by Council. This decision was informed, in part, by a plebiscite that was included as part of the 2021 General Election to determine the wishes of Calgarians. 62 percent voters were in favour of reintroducing fluoride into the municipal water supply.
What municipalities in Alberta add fluoride to their drinking water? Which do not?
Do: Lethbridge, Red Deer, Edmonton, St. Albert
Do not: Banff, Canmore, Medicine Hat, Okotoks (stopped in 2012), Cochrane, High River
How does this impact regional customers who receive water from The City?
Water supplied to regional customers 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.
At what point in the water treatment process is fluoride added?
Fluoride will be added to drinking water after the pre-treatment process. More information on The City’s water treatment process is available at the Water Treatment online tour.
