Fluoride in water up and down

Fluoride in water supply up and down

PRECISELY how much fluoride is being added to Rockhampton’s water supply at the moment is about as clear as mud.

Council is fine-tuning its fluoride process and has until the middle of January to get things right.

Just before Christmas last year council announced it had introduced fluoride to the supply at Rockhampton, Gracemere and The Caves.

At the moment The Morning Bulletin understands there have been mechanical problems with equipment needed for the introduction, meaning the amount of fluoride being added to the water supply is varying at different times.

It’s understood there have been periods where it has not been added.

While council declined to answer specific questions asked by The Morning Bulletin this week, it did issue a statement to reassure the community there was no danger of an overdose of fluoride in the water supply.

“The plant is still in the commissioning phase which involves installing and testing the equipment and processes,” the statement said.

“While it won’t overdose the water supply, the dose rate will vary until the commissioning phase has been completed.

“Council will not sign off on the plant until testing is complete and we are confident that the plant will be operational by the required time.

“We assure residents that there are strict security systems in place to prevent overdosing.”

Meanwhile, Fitzroy River Water has advised property owners in the region that water usage notices will be issued a little late.

“As the implementation of the rolling quarterly water meter reads is further progressed for the whole of the Rockhampton region, FRW staff are carrying a higher workload,” a council statement said.