Debra Walz - Fluoride

DEBRA WALZ - FLUORIDE Question 1. Can Council provide an update regarding progress with SEQWater in relation to removing fluoride from Noosa Shire's drinking water, including a cost analysis and estimate timeframe on the impact on Council's budget over the period of time to transition to fluoride free water? Response provided by Director Development & Regulation, Richard MacGillivray It’s important to highlight Noosa Council does not manage the treatment and distribution of potable water in Noosa. Treatment is undertaken by Seqwater and distribution by UnityWater. As the operators of the fluoride dosing process, it is appropriate for Seqwater to provide advice on these matters. The question received by Council from Ms Walz on 5 December 2023 was forwarded to Seqwater for advice on 7 December 2023. I can advise a response was finally received from Seqwater in April this year. In their response Seqwater confirm that the ‘Fluoridation of the water supply is a public health measure administered by the Queensland Government’. ‘Seqwater monitors fluoride concentrations in drinking water continuously and reports the result to Queensland Health regularly’. Their response also states that ‘to date, no Council that Seqwater supplies in South East Queensland has requested to cease fluoridation of potable water. Therefore, an economic cost analysis and works management timeframe is not available. Any such analysis would need to consider a range of factors given the Noosa Water Supply Zone is connected to the broader SEQ Water Grid. Noosa was connected to the grid in 2012 to bolster water security for the region, particularly in times of drought.’ Notwithstanding that no specific economic cost analysis has been provided by Seqwater, given the Noosa Water Supply is connected and receives water from the broader SEQ Water Grid, it is clear that the process would be complex and the cost to ratepayers to remove fluoride from the potable water supply would likely be significant. The matters raised in the petition received by Council is currently being reviewed and a response will be provided in due course. Question 2. What is the molecular form of the fluoride compound that is used in Noosa Shire's water, including the origin of this compound, and is this compound chemically pure? Response provided by Director Development & Regulation, Richard MacGillivray The chemical processes and materials employed in the fluoridation of water across SEQ are significantly outside the scope of Council's remit, and it is advised that this enquiry can be best addressed directly with the water supplier, Seqwater.