Australia - Fluoridated water now the norm

Ashleigh Vella, of West Mackay, grabs a bottle of water yesterday to cool down without the added fluoride that is now part of Mackay’s drinking water.
Tony Martin
Fluoridated water now the norm
Fallon Hudson 30th December 2009
WHETHER you have converted to bottled water or now use a filter – there is no denying fluoride is here to stay.
Tomorrow will mark two weeks since the tap was turned on and fluoride flowed through Mackay’s water supply for the first time.
Fluoride was one of the most contentious issues discussed by the people of Mackay this year before it was given the green light.
Many letters to the editor and a constant stream of SMS complaints showed some people were against adding it to our water supply.
But it seems when you ask the average local on the street about fluoride, many have accepted it is now part of our life.
Mackay Regional Council Water and Waste Services acting director David Brooker said the addition of fluoride to Mackay’s water was a simple and easy process.
Households in Mackay are now receiving fluoridated water.
Mr Brooker said 0.7 parts of fluoride were being added to one million parts of water and that was within the range of the equivalent of one drop in a bathtub of water.
“For the past two weeks we have gone without any trouble.
“In fact, it has been a trouble-free process and all of our online equipment is all working well.”
Many residents yesterday said they believed the taste of Mackay water had changed – some convinced the water now left a metallic aftertaste.
Mr Brooker, however, disputed that opinion stating fluoride was tasteless and colourless.
“It shouldn’t taste any different,” he said.
In early December the Daily Mercury reported that the World Health Organisation was one of numerous international health institutions to endorse the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water to improve dental health.
The introduction of fluoride is part of a $24 million upgrade to the Nebo Road water treatment plant that will increase water capacity from 55 megalitres to 75 megalitres.