Fluoride
Fluoride
As part of its 2019-2022 strategic priorities, Kingston City Council has committed to exploring the feasibility of fluoridating the municipal water supply. The City is currently gathering information about fluoride in drinking water and will present its findings to City Council in March for consideration.
Municipal water supplies in Kingston are not currently fluoridated. The City is providing information about water fluoridation on this page.
While sections of East Kingston used water fluoridation a number of years ago, it was discontinued in October 2008. In Ontario, seven out of ten residents have access to fluoridated water.
If you would like to learn more, please see the topics listed below.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a colourless, naturally-occurring mineral that can be found throughout the Earth’s surface. It can be found in solid, liquid and gas forms.
Fluoride is a mineral that can be found in your bones and teeth and is commonly used in dentistry.
How does community water fluoridation work?
Community water fluoridation involves adjusting fluoride levels in the municipal water supply. Only water that is piped in as part of the municipal water supply can be fluoridated.
Fluoridation requires additional utility infrastructure, in addition to standard water delivery methods.
Find more information: What is Fluoride and how does it work in the water supply?
Is Kingston’s water supply currently fluoridated?
No, Kingston’s water supply is not currently fluoridated.
What does water fluoridation do?
A number of national and international health, medical, and dental organizations support water fluoridation as a public health measure to prevent tooth decay.
Find more information: Health Agencies and Fluoridation.
How much would fluoridating the municipal water supply cost?
In terms of the expenses associated with introducing fluoride to Kingston’s water system, there would be an initial up-front capital cost that would include the introduction of new equipment and upgrades to the Point Pleasant and King Street Plants. This capital expense is anticipated to be in the range of $2-3 million.
On an annual basis, there would be on-going operating expenses associated with community fluoridation. It is expected that annual operating expenses would be in the range of $100,000-300,000 per year.
Costs for Water Fluoridation would be covered by user rates paid on your water bill. All costs related to the municipal water supply are covered as part of the water bill. It is expected that the average monthly residential water bill would increase by approximately 2.4% or roughly $1/monthly customer water bill.