Is Calgary's tap water safe again? Why a controversial mineral is making a splash again
After over a decade without fluoride in its drinking water,
Calgary
is set to reintroduce the mineral into its municipal supply beginning June 30, 2025. This follows a 2021 plebiscite in which 62 per cent of Calgarians voted in favour of resuming fluoridation to support better
dental health
outcomes.
Calgary stopped fluoridating its water in 2011, citing aging equipment and concerns over cost. However, since then, health professionals have noted a rise in tooth decay, especially among children.
Studies suggested that Calgary residents, particularly lower-income groups, were facing worsening dental health outcomes. In response to the growing evidence and public demand, city officials put the matter to a vote in 2021, resulting in a clear mandate to bring fluoride back.
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How will it be implemented?
After extensive retrofitting and construction, fluoride will be added at two upgraded water treatment plants, Glenmore and Bearspaw. The reintroduction project cost the city $28.1 million, and the anticipated annual maintenance cost is around $1 million.
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The city aims to maintain fluoride levels at 0.7 milligrams per litre, the standard recommended by
Health Canada
to prevent tooth decay. Given the natural fluctuations in fluoride content in the Bow and Elbow rivers, water quality will be closely monitored and adjusted accordingly.
Broader health and regional impact
Alberta Health Services
, the Canadian Dental Association, and the World Health Organization endorse fluoridation as a safe, effective public health measure. It will also impact surrounding communities like Chestermere, which rely on Calgary's water supply.
This decision aligns Calgary with other Alberta cities such as Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Red Deer, which have continued fluoridation without interruption.
In contrast, two weeks ago, Florida became the second state in the US, after Utah, to ban fluoride in public drinking water. It stated that adding forced fluoride into the water supply is forced medication on people.
Social media's support, skepticism, and satire
The reintroduction has sparked a flurry of social media commentary, with reactions ranging from cautious approval to deep skepticism.
Some residents welcomed the move, saying Calgary's water quality has long needed improvement. Others, however, expressed concern over perceived health risks. Several users referred to fluoride as a 'neurotoxin' and shared videos urging people to invest in home filtration systems.
One user quipped, 'Time to invest in water filtration stocks in Alberta,' another warned of 'random poisoning' and advised switching to healthy water or filters with UV attachments.
Conspiratorial tones also emerged, with claims about fluoride affecting the pineal gland and interacting with 5G frequencies. Still, a few commentators simply saw it as a practical decision overdue for a growing city.
What comes next?
City officials say residents won't notice any difference in taste or smell, but long-term oral health outcomes are expected to improve. As the system is phased in, regular updates will be provided through Calgary's official channels.
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