From Halifax Water:
Halifax Water acknowledges that it should have notified customers about the interruption of fluoridation at both J. Douglas Kline (Pockwock) Lake and Lake Major water supply plants over the past several years. 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.
From an operations perspective, Halifax Water intends to resume the fluoridation process when systems are ready and it is safe to do so. We will advise our customers when this occurs.
Halifax Water reports all changes in drinking water treatment, including fluoridation, to the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSECC) when they occur, as required by its Approval to Operate permit.
“Halifax Water is committed to meeting our regulatory commitments to provide safe drinking water. However, we also understand that we need to improve our communications related to longer-term interruptions of our fluoridation process with our customers, our Board of Commissioners and the Municipality. We will work to address these gaps moving forward,” said Kenda MacKenzie, Acting General Manager of Halifax Water.
In Nova Scotia, the addition of fluoride is not a regulatory requirement or mandatory. Traditionally, communities have determined whether to add fluoride based on recommendations and input from public health officials.
Halifax Water has added fluoride at some water supply plants since the mid-1950s. The decision to add fluoride at Lake Major and Pockwock Lake was most recently revisited in 2014. At that time, the Halifax Water Board of Commissioners endorsed fluoridation based on support from the IWK, the Nova Scotia Dental Association, and the Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry.
Any future decisions on fluoridation will be based on engagement with the Halifax Water Board and Public Health. Additionally, any infrastructure improvements that require significant capital costs and operational risks associated with upgrades will undergo a rigorous regulatory review process.