Update on drinking water fluoridation
Published on 10 May 2023
Snowy Monaro Regional Council will be resuming fluoridation of the drinking water supply for Jindabyne and Berridale following cessation of the service due to equipment failure in 2017 and 2018.
New fluoride dosing systems have been constructed at each site – East Jindabyne/Berridale, Jindabyne Barry Way and Jindabyne – thanks to a full subsidy provided by NSW Health.
Council has been awaiting NSW Health sign-off and approval before recommencing dosing, which has now been received.
The systems have been checked and staff given refresher training in April 2023, and fluoridation will commence two weeks from the date of this notice.
If you live in Berridale or Jindabyne and you or your family are currently taking any fluoride supplements, seek prompt medical advice before fluoridation resumes.
Snowy Monaro water supply fluoridation factsheet
Why is fluoride added to the water supply?
NSW Health support the dosing of fluoride in Snowy Monaro Regional Council water supply systems. Fluoridation of water supplies has been demonstrated to reduce tooth decay in adults and children.
The National Health Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) found that water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 44% in children and adolescents and by 27% in adults.²
Almost all public drinking water supplies in NSW are currently fluoridated.¹
Refer to this fact sheet from NSW Health for more information about water fluoridation in NSW.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in soil, rocks, and water. The water in the rivers and dams that provide our drinking water usually does not have enough fluoride to prevent tooth decay.¹ In some places in Australia there are already sufficient levels of fluoride naturally occurring in groundwater to help reduce tooth decay.²
How much fluoride is added to the water?
Only very small amounts of fluoride are needed to help protect teeth against tooth decay, taking into account other sources in foods, drinks and dental products.² The NHMRC recommends fluoridation to be added to water supply within the range of 0.6 to 1.1mg/L.²
Council conducts daily testing and submits monthly reports and samples to NSW Health to ensure the levels of fluoride in the water supply are within the recommended range.
Is fluoride safe?
Fluoride has been added to drinking water for over 75 years.¹ The only known side-effect of fluoride is the appearance of white lines on people's teeth, this is known as dental fluorosis, and is uncommon in Australia.²
Who supports the fluoridation of drinking water?
Water fluoridation is supported by many reputable health and dental associations across Australia and the world. The following organisations support and encourage water fluoridation as a public health measure to help prevent tooth decay:
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- World Health Organization
- Australian Dental Association
- Australian Medical Association
- Public Health Association of Australia
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians
¹NSW Government, NSW Health, Water Fluoridation Factsheet. (July 2021). (www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Factsheets/fluoridation-fact-sheet.pdf)
²Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council, NHMRC Public Statement (2017). (www.nhmrc.gov.au/file/2856/download?token=1NCowyvX)