Halifax Water hasn’t added fluoride to water for more than a year

Halifax Water Facing Challenges with Fluoride Addition

Halifax Water has encountered equipment issues that have prevented the addition of fluoride to its facilities at Pockwock Lake and Lake Major for more than a year. The fluoride units at these locations have been offline since May 2023 and April 2020 respectively, leading to concerns about the impact on public health.

A spokesperson for Halifax Water stated that repairs at Pockwock Lake are expected to be completed this month, with the unit coming back online in the coming weeks. However, it remains uncertain when fluoridation will resume at Lake Major. These facilities serve a significant number of customers, with Pockwock Lake catering to more than 200,000 people and Lake Major serving over 105,000 individuals.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is known for its ability to protect teeth from cavities. It is considered a crucial public health measure by numerous national and international health organizations, including Health Canada, the Canadian and American Dental Associations, and the World Health Organization.

Dr. Claire Karst, the president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association, emphasized the importance of water fluoridation in reducing tooth decay. She expressed concern over the lack of public disclosure regarding the discontinuation of fluoride addition by Halifax Water. Dr. Karst highlighted the impact of fluoridated water on vulnerable populations, such as seniors in long-term care and individuals with limited access to dental care.

In light of these developments, Dr. Karst urged parents to prioritize oral hygiene practices at home to mitigate the potential effects of the absence of fluoride in the water supply. She underscored the role of dentists in advocating for the reinstatement of water fluoridation and emphasized the need for transparent communication from decision-makers.

Despite the recognized benefits of water fluoridation, concerns have been raised about the prolonged absence of fluoride at Halifax Water’s facilities. Efforts to address the equipment issues and resume fluoridation are underway, but the timeline for restoring this essential public health measure remains uncertain.

Maritime Noon made attempts to reach out to Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, for comment on this matter, but he was unavailable for an interview at the time of inquiry.