Fluoride in tap water
Details about community water fluoridation.
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. Community water fluoridation adjusts the level of naturally occurring fluoride to an optimal concentration to protect against tooth decay.
Water fluoridation takes place for the South Peel drinking water supply. South Peel includes Brampton, Mississauga, and southern parts of Caledon including Bolton and Mayfield West. The amount of fluoride in drinking water is regulated by the Ontario government.
Why fluoride in tap water is important
Peel Region diligently monitors fluoride levels in the lake-based municipal water supply to ensure the optimal concentration range is being maintained. Based on the extensive and credible body of scientific research, we maintain that community water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to protect dental health.
Fluoride has been proven to help protect teeth against cavities. Adding fluoride to community drinking water is the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide residents with proven protection against cavities.
Most drinking water sources in Canada contain low levels of naturally occurring fluoride. Community water fluoridation adjusts the level of naturally occurring fluoride to an optimal concentration to protect against tooth decay.
Community water fluoridation protects the dental health of everyone, regardless of their income, age, or education.
Other information
Peel Region currently uses fluorosilicic acid, derived from calcium fluoride for water fluoridation. This additive is used to adjust the level of fluoride in our lake–based municipal water supply to the optimal concentration range to protect against tooth decay.
This additive meets the industry and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks accepted standards.
The level of naturally occurring fluoride in Peel’s lake–based municipal water supply is adjusted to an optimal concentration range to protect against tooth decay: 0.5 mg/L to 0.8 mg/L, as recommended by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines.
The municipal drinking water is routinely tested and monitored to ensure it meets the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards. For more information, access our annual water quality reports.
Externally generated documents about the safety and purity of Peel’s fluoride additive (such as Safety Data Sheets and Certificates of Analysis) may not be available in a format that complies with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. To request one of these records, contact us.
Many organizations support community water fluoridation. Some of these organizations include, but are not limited to:
- Health Canada
- Canadian Dental Association
- Canadian Public Health Association
- Ontario Dental Association
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
- American Dental Association
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- World Health Organization
Why fluoride in your tap water is a good thing
Related information
- Water fluoridation – Ontario Dental Association
- Fluoride and your child – Canadian Dental Association
- Fluoride and oral health – Health Canada
- Community water fluoridation – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Campaign for dental health – American Academy of Pediatrics
- Letter from the Ministry of Health and Long–Term Care about community water fluoridation (January 14, 2016 Regional Council meeting). Contact the Regional Clerk's office to request a copy of the letter.
