Fluoridation of drinking water

What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element which can sometimes be found in untreated water as a result of coming into contact with rocks containing fluoride. It is both odourless and tasteless. Virtually all foodstuffs contain traces of fluoride. Fluoride can also be found in higher amounts in seawater (1.4 milligrams per litre or mg/L), soil (up to 300 parts per million or ppm), and tea leaves.

How much fluoride is added to drinking water?
To allow for expected fluctuations in flow rates and other factors, TasWater aims to maintain fluoride at a level between 0.8-1.1 mg/L.

Why is TasWater directed to fluoridate our water?
TasWater is directed to fluoridate drinking water supplies by the Minister of Health in accordance with the Fluoridation Act 1968. Fluoride is used to protect teeth against dental decay.

Is water fluoridation safe?
The 2016 National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Evidence Evaluation shows that water fluoridation helps to reduce tooth decay in children and adults. There is no reliable evidence that water fluoridation at current Australian levels causes health problems. To view the full paper, please visit the Department of Health (Environment Health) website.

Where is fluoride added in Tasmania?
The first fluoridated water supply in Australia was in Beaconsfield, Tasmania in 1953. About 96.6 per cent of TasWater customers receiving reticulated water are drinking from a fluoridated water supply. Generally the Department of Health will require fluoridation for any water system reaching a population of 500 or more. 

What types of fluoride are used by TasWater?
TasWater uses fluorosilicic acid and sodium fluoride. Twenty-six plants use sodium fluoride (NaF), which is a white material available as an odourless powder or in a crystalline form. Fluoridation is accomplished by dissolving the sodium fluoride in water. Twelve plants use Fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), commonly known as FSA. FSA has advantages with regard to dosing accuracy and economics and is in use in most of the large water treatment plants around the State.

How are fluoride levels checked?
Fluoride levels are monitored live and tested daily by water samplers to ensure fluoride levels are within the optimum range. Monitoring equipment is calibrated regularly and additional samples are verified monthly at a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory. There are controls and protocols for reporting high or low level readings to the Department of Health. For more information about fluoridation of water supplies, please contact the Department of Health on 1800 671 738 or visit the Department of Health (Environment Health) website.

Source: This information has been sourced from the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and the Department of Health.

Was this page useful?

Rate this page

Did you know?

Our Knowledge Hub contains hundreds of articles containing all sorts of information.

View more articles
For schools and customer education

For schools and customer education

Read more

What charges do you have as a developer

What charges do you have as a developer

Read more

Change my address

Change my address

Read more

Have your say