Fluoridation
2022 Fluoride Reintroduction
Upon receipt of a recommendation from the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, Windsor City Council passed a by-law on March 25, 2019 to direct the Windsor Utilities Commission (WUC) to fluoridate the City of Windsor’s drinking water system. Shortly thereafter, on April 9, 2019 Tecumseh Town Council passed a similar by-law directing WUC to fluoridate its drinking water supply to the Town. In accordance with the requirements of the Fluoridation Act, ENWIN Utilities Ltd. (ENWIN), on behalf of WUC, began the process on reintroducing fluoride to its drinking water system.
The process required several steps prior to adding fluoride, to ensure that this change in process would not negatively affect the treatability of the drinking water or WUC’s corrosion control program (for lead services). ENWIN management engaged a third party consultant to perform a treatability assessment, review fluoride additives and design a system to add fluoride to the drinking water treatment process.
Treatability Study
A study was conducted from March 2020 to December 2021, that evaluated the effect of adding fluoride to the treatment process. Both warm and cold weather conditions were evaluated, and data was collected and analyzed during this study. Based on the data, it was concluded that there would be no negative impact to the treatment process. Our consultant’s recommendation confirmed that fluoride reintroduction can begin and encouraged continued monitoring as a best practice. Based on the results of this study, WUC reintroduced fluoride into the drinking water system on January 12, 2022.
Fluoride Additive
Based on a review of all potential sources for the additive, a high purity grade of fluorosilicic acid was selected, as it was determined that it did not impart detectable levels of lead in the finished drinking water. In addition, this product is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for drinking water.
Water Treatment Process
Fluoride is added to the treatment process after filtration at a target dose of 0.65 ppm (parts per million or mg/L). This is consistent with Health Canada’s recommendation. WUC has obtained all required approvals by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to add fluoride and ensure compliance with Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act.
Questions?
Information regarding the decision to add fluoride to the Drinking Water System should be directed to the City of Windsor, the Town of Tecumseh, Town of LaSalle or the Windsor Essex County Health Unit.