Fluoride

Fluoride is added to drinking water because it strengthens tooth enamel and reduces tooth decay. The Department of Health is responsible for encouraging councils in Queensland to add fluoride to drinking water. Fluoridation is also supported by many peak health bodies including Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Dental Association, the Australian Medical Association and the World Health Organization.

In Queensland, the management of fluoride is regulated by the Water Fluoridation Act 2008 and Water Fluoridation Regulation 2020.

Fluoride is added to the drinking water by Seqwater - the bulk supply entity who sources and treats South-East Queensland’s drinking water supply.

Seqwater monitors the fluoride concentration in drinking water and reports regularly to Queensland Water Supply Regulator on its testing program. Additional information regarding Seqwater’s management of fluoride is available in the Fluoridation of water supplies fact sheet.  

Whilst Logan City Council does not add fluoride to the drinking water, we are required to test for it to ensure levels do not exceed the health limit set by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council. To find out more about how we monitor drinking water quality, please refer to Managing drinking water quality.

More information about fluoride is available in the National Health and Medical Research Council’s 2017 Public statement, Water fluoridation and human health in Australia

If you have any questions about fluoride, please contact Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit the Queensland Health website.