Halifax Water says it should have told customers about fluoridation interruptions

Halifax Water Admits Mistake in Not Notifying Customers About Water Fluoridation Interruptions

Halifax Water has admitted that it should have informed customers about water fluoridation interruptions that have been ongoing for over a year at its Pockwock Lake and Lake Major facilities. This acknowledgment comes after criticism from the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the province’s chief medical officer of health.

In a news release, Halifax Water stated, “Halifax Water acknowledges that it should have notified customers. We take feedback very seriously and want to assure customers and the public that they will be made aware of these interruptions moving forward. These were operational decisions based on independent equipment issues at both water supply plants that had to be repaired or replaced at each facility.”

The fluoride units at Pockwock Lake and Lake Major have been offline since May 2023 and April 2020, respectively. Repairs at Pockwock are expected to be completed this month, with the unit coming back online in the coming weeks. There is no estimated repair time for Lake Major, but Halifax Water intends to resume the fluoridation process when the systems are ready and safe to do so.

Health officials in Nova Scotia support the fluoridation of water. Halifax Water reports all changes in drinking water to Nova Scotia’s Environment Department. Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, and dental association president Dr. Claire Karst both strongly advocate for the use of fluoride in drinking water and believe that Halifax Water should have communicated the interruption sooner.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps protect teeth from cavities. The provincial Environment Department states that fluoridation of drinking water supplies is a well-accepted measure to protect public health and is supported by scientific evidence from numerous national and international health organizations.

Halifax Water is working to improve communication with its customers, board of commissioners, and the municipality regarding longer-term interruptions of the fluoridation process. The decision to add fluoride at Lake Major and Pockwock Lake was endorsed by Halifax Water’s board of commissioners ten years ago based on support from the IWK, the Nova Scotia Dental Association, and Dalhousie University’s faculty of dentistry.

Any future decision on fluoridation will involve engagement with Halifax Water’s board and public health officials. Additionally, any infrastructure improvements requiring significant capital costs and operational risks associated with upgrades will undergo a rigorous regulatory review process.

Overall, Halifax Water is committed to providing safe drinking water and will strive to address communication gaps related to fluoridation interruptions in the future.