Council hears costs of adding fluoride to drinking water

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The reoccurring debate over putting fluoride into Calgary’s drinking water has returned to city hall, as a committee heard details on how much it would cost if the chemical was added.

In 2011, council decided to stop putting fluoride in the drinking water, reversing a decision from Calgary voters who approved the idea in a 1998 plebiscite. Then, in November of 2019, council directed administration to look into the costs associated with a potential plan to reintroduce it.

The analysis was presented on Tuesday, showing that it would cost about $30 million over the course of 20 years to keep fluoride in the supply. It would also cost between $2 million and $4 million each year for any possible maintenance costs.

A key factor, though, is that it would not increase utility bills or property taxes if the plan were to be approved.

“It sounds like a big number, but the water utility is a giant business and what we heard today is they could absorb it without affecting anyone’s water rates,” Mayor Naheed Nenshi said.

Councillors agreed to receive the administration report for information, and forward it to a full meeting of council.

Now that the debate will be forwarded to the rest of council, there’s a few options available.

“Number one is don’t do anything, leave the fluoride out. Number two is have a plebiscite on this issue in the next election, as we’ve done in the past on fluoride. Or number three is put a motion to reintroduce fluoride into the water supply, and see if it has the votes,” Nenshi said.

It has long been a polarizing debate in Calgary, and there were several failed plebiscites dating back to 1957 until it was approved by voters in 1989 and then approved again by voters nine years later.

Opponents are worried about health concerns attributed with adding fluoride, but supporters say those claims are not backed by evidence and in fact there are better health outcomes with fluoride in the drinking water as it can save money on dental costs.

Also, this time around there would not need to be a plebiscite to approve the change due to adjustments made in the Municipal Government Act.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today