Fluoride added to drinking water in WA city, but ‘rabbit hole’ armchair researchers look to filter it out
Fluoride added to drinking water in Bunbury, but some residents are looking to filter it out
Fluoridated drinking water is being supplied to the greater Bunbury area. (
ABC News: Mark Leonardi
)
In short:
Bunbury’s drinking water is now fully fluoridated.
The health department says it is a significant step forward in improving the oral health of the community.
What’s next?
A South West water filtration distributor says sales for systems that remove multiple contaminants from water are skyrocketing.
Fluoride has been added to the water supply of Western Australia’s largest regional city as those opposed to the practice continue to spend significant amounts to get around it.
Adding fluoride to drinking water is part of Australia’s Oral Health Plan, which aims to combat tooth decay and improve the overall health of the community.
Fluoride was first introduced in WA in 1968, but Bunbury, 200km south of Perth, only started receiving fluoride via water supplier Aqwest in 2023.
Ninety-four per cent of the state’s drinking water is now fluoridated.
The mineral was introduced in the suburbs of Dalyellup in 2022, as well as Australind, Eaton and Brunswick Junction in 2020.
What is fluoride?
In WA, either fluorosilicic acid or sodium fluoride is added to drinking water supplies.
According to WA Health, fluorosilicic acid is sourced as a by-product from superphosphate production and comes from an industrial chemical manufacturer in Kwinana, a suburb of Perth.
Sodium fluoride used in parts of WA also comes from a chemical plant in Perth.
| Fluorosilicic acid | Sodium fluoride |
|---|---|
| Contains fluorine, hydrogen and silicon | Contains fluorine and sodium |
| Most common in WA | Used in Manjimup and parts of the Mid West and Kimberley |
| Dissolves from liquid to release fluoride ion | Dissolves from liquid to release fluoride ion |
Countries that implement water fluoridation schemes include Australia, the United States, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia.
WA’s acting Chief Health Officer Paul Armstrong says fluoride at the optimum level combats tooth decay and promotes oral health across all age groups, particularly children.
“The introduction of water fluoridation in Bunbury marks a significant step forward in our efforts to improve oral health for everyone in the community,” he said.
“Poor oral health can affect an individual in many ways, including detrimental impacts on the ability to sleep, eat and speak.”
Water Filter Direct director Scott Webb says more people are looking to have filtration systems installed. (Supplied)
‘The water rabbit-hole’
Scott Webb runs a water filtration business in nearby Busselton.
A plumber for more than 30 years, he says there has been a huge increase in the uptake of water filtration systems such as reverse osmosis.
“We’ve seen massive growth over the last 12 months due to the lack of water quality and public awareness of what should and shouldn’t be in our water,” Mr Webb said.
“In WA the concerns used to be visual — so, lime calcium build up in showers, for example, but today, with more public awareness it goes beyond that.”
Water filter systems that use reverse osmosis reduce contaminants including fluoride, chloride and calcium. (Supplied)
He says fluoridated water in Bunbury may be the final straw for locals who have already begun their research down “the water rabbit-hole”.
“I think there will be, without a doubt, an uptake in more households installing water filtration, either at the most basic level under the kitchen sink, or the whole home,” he said.
“Continued research and transparent public discussions are crucial to addressing differing viewpoints and ensuring safe drinking water practices.”
Caitlin Bailey says she will consider installing filtration tanks to remove chemicals from her water. (Supplied)
South Bunbury resident Caitlin Bailey is not opposed to water fluoridation but wishes she was given more of a choice.
She says she will consider getting a reverse osmosis water filtration system installed.
“I just think it’s ridiculous that we’ll now have to pay for that, because no-one was really given an option to have fluoride put in the water,” Ms Bailey said.
“But we’ll have to, for our family’s health.”
