Fluoridation

Fluoridation Questions & Answers - Release Date 11-Dec-2012: - Queensland councils impacted by the recent fluoridation legislation were given an opportunity to raise questions around the recent changes and Queensland Health agreed to provide responses. This is the compiled list of questions and responses. Please keep qldwater informed of your intentions so that we may look at possible opportunities around the disposal of chemicals, plant and equipment among members. (293KB)

29 November 2012. Latest Fluoridation Update - Legislative changes made today by the Newman Government will restore local control of fluoride management across Queensland. Amendments were made to the South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 meaning more choice for communities in managing fluoride. Under the amendments there is an opportunity for local governments to consider what is in the best interests of their community and move to opt out of fluoridation in the future. See eFlash #185 for further information.

Background

On 5 December 2007, the Premier announced that fluoridation of public water supplies was to become mandatory across Queensland. qldwater has initiated a program of activities to assist members with the transition to fluoridation and to ensure effective ongoing operations and maintenance of the systems including contributing to the State Fluoridation Technical Committee and creating an industry expert panel to inform the fluoridation program. Background to the development of fluoridation in Queensland is summarised here.

Training of operators is mandatory under the fluoridation Regulations and a tailored unit under the nationally accredited water training package was created (NWP276A- Fluoridation). Completion of a full Certificate 2 is not necessary to meet requirements (see Fluoridation Code of Practice). qldwater is investigating options to broaden training opportunities operators following numerous industry requests for practical hands-on training to reduce risks for small service providers. Further information on the training program can be obtained by contacting qldwater.

qldwater documents on fluoridation:

Subsidies

A subsidy program called the Queensland Fluoridation Capital Assistance Program (QFCAP) was developed by the State government to fund the roll-out of fluoridation infrastructure across the state and is overseen by DLGP (see documents below). An ongoing funding program called the 'Smaller Communities Fluoridation Operating Grants Scheme’ for communities with fewer than 1700 residential connections was also announced by the Government but no further information has yet been made available.

General Documents

eFlash #186 - 11 December 2012 - Release Date 11-Dec-2012: - 1. Fluoridation. | 2. Important - Laboratory Services and the Queensland Water Directory. | (29KB)

eFlash #185 - 30 November 2012 - Release Date 05-Dec-2012: - 1. Fluoride Bill - Important Legislative Changes. | (34KB)

eFlash #182 - 17 October 2012 - Release Date 17-Oct-2012: - 1. Fluoridation. | (31KB)

eFlash #179 - 3 October 2012 - Release Date 10-Oct-2012: - 1. Fluoridation. | 2. Update on ERA63 Streamlining. | 3. IWC Water Leadership Program. | (30KB)

eFlash #171 - 5 July 2012 - Release Date 09-Jul-2012: - 1. Fluoridation News. | (26KB)

eFlash #165 - 5 June 2012 - Release Date 05-Jun-2012: - 1. Post Election Announcements Affecting Water and Sewerage Edition 4. | 2. Water Utility 'Big Data' Round Tables - Brisbane 28 June. | 3. Fluoridation Information Now More Accessible via Queensland Health. | 4. New Coal Seam Gas Workshop and Courses. | (36KB)

Care and Maintenance of Fluoride Ion Selective Electrodes - Release Date 24-Apr-2012: - Queensland Health Scientific Services has released a new procedure to help operators clean and preserve sensors used as part of the fluoridation dosing and monitoring process. Thanks to Dr Henry Olszowy for preparing this practical procedure. | (188KB)

eFlash #161 - 24 April 2012 - Release Date 24-Apr-2012: - 1. Water Connections Week 30 April - 4 May. | 2. Technical Reference Group Discussion Topics - 20 April Meeting. | 3. Queensland Health Fluoridation Procedure - Care and Maintenance of Fluoride Ion Selective Electrodes. | 4. IPWEAQ Excellence Awards. | 5. Scholarships Now Open - IWC Water Leadership Program. | (38KB)

Transportable and Demountable Fluoridation Sheds - Release Date 25-Oct-2011: - (2360KB)

e Flash #142 - 28 October 2011 - Release Date 28-Oct-2011: - 1. Consistency in Fluoridation Design. | (30KB)

On-line Fluoride Monitors Factsheet - Release Date 25-Oct-2011: - The Queensland Water Fluoridation Act and Regulation require determination of fluoride concentration on a daily basis. On-line fluoride analysers can provide accurate and reliable measurement of fluoride concentration provided that analysers are calibrated, serviced and maintained in accordance with the equipment supplier's operating handbook. (319KB)

Fluoridation Operations and Maintenance Manual (Qld) - Release Date 03-Dec-2010: - Outlines procedures and information to comply with the requirements of the fluoridation legislative framework. Includes background information for operators not familiar with fluoride complementing the NWP 276A training unit. Appendices include templates for plant design, operations control, standard operating procedures, safety, example calculations, trouble-shooting, routine inspections and maintenance schedules. | Free member download. | Modifiable Template. | To Buy (3808KB)

e Flash #96 - 3 November 2010 - Release Date 03-Nov-2010: - 1. Water Fluoridation Code of Practice. | 2. National Water Industry Workforce Development Audit (Operational Staff). | (30KB)

e Flash #94 - 21 October 2010 - Release Date 21-Oct-2010: - 1. Revised Water Fluoridation Code of Practice. | 2. Queensland Conservation Business Breakfast - 'Why is Recycling a Dirty Word?' | 3. Negotiating the Gender Divide. | 4. Sewer and Manhole Rehabilitation. | (32KB)

Fluoridation Code of Practice (Sept 2010) - Release Date 21-Oct-2010: - The Queensland Health Water Quality Unit released a revised Water Fluoridation Code of Practice in late 2010 (see e Flash #94 which lists the principal changes) that ntroduces some key improvements to the previous CoP. | Free member download. | QHealth document that may be superseded. | (577KB)

Description of capital roll-out program for fluoridation - Release Date 11-Nov-2008: - Letter to Service Providers from Implementation Project Management Group (Cardno-Beca) that was sent to Council CEO's and Mayors on 10 November 2008 providing an overview of how to access the Fluroidation Capital Assistance Program. | Free member download. | Third Party document that may be superseded. | (44KB)

QFCAP (Fluoridation Assistance) process diagram - Release Date 11-Nov-2008: - Fluoridation Capital Assistance Program process diagram that was sent to Council CEO's and Mayors on 10 November 2008. The flow diagram gives an overview of the support and functions provided by the IPMG (Implementation Program Management Group). | Free member download. | DLGP document that may be superseded. | (225KB)

A - Water Fluoridation Regulation Draft - Release Date 31-Oct-2008: - A working Draft of the Water Fluoridation Regulation and there are a number of provisions within the draft which Queensland Health is aware will need more work prior to the draft being finalised. Provided for comment by Queensland Service Providers. (237KB)

B - Water Fluoridation Code of Practice - Release Date 31-Aug-2008: - The Water Fluoridation Code of Practice Draft was sent out to Councils from Queensland Health in mid 2008. The document was made available to qldwater members to provide comments. This document is attached for your feedback. (1386KB)

Fluoridation Chemical Fact Sheet - Release Date 01-Apr-2008: - qldwater created this Factsheet to assist members in selecting among the three main chemicals used in fluoridation of Water supplies. It provides information on the three main fluoridation methodologies including a comparison of chemical types, risks and long-term costs. | Free member download. | (269KB)

ARCHIVE - Fluoridation Chapter - Excerpt from qldwater WTP Manual 2007 - Release Date 04-Jan-2008: - qldwater distributed copies of the Water Treatment Plant Manual to our members in 2007 but soon after mandatory fluoridation was introduced by the State Government. As an interim measure, this fluoridation chapter of the WTP Manual was circulated to provide timely information essential to ongoing management of WTP's across the State. | Archive only. | Free member download. | (253KB)

ARCHIVE - Fluoridation Assistance Program (QFAP) - Release Date 29-Jun-2007: - The Queensland Fluoridation Assistance Program started in 2006, with the then Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation providing $6 million in funding for communities of more than 5000 planning to fluoridate their water supplies. | Free members download. | Archive only. | (382KB)

Background Information and Links on Fluoridation in Qld - Release Date 29-Jun-2007: - Background information collated for member's use in explaining the context of fluoridation and providing links to further websites. | Free member download. | (94KB)

Fluoridation Links

Fluoridation is regulated under the Water Fluoridation Act 2008 and the Water Fluoridation Regulation 2008. The urban water industry was consulted in the development of this legislation through qldwater and its Fluoridation technical group.

Of equal importance is the Water Fluoridation Code of Practice which was first released in December 2008 (see e Flash 51) and updated in September 2010 with minor modifications (described in e Flash # 94).

The Queensland Regional Water Fluoridation Information Pack was created by the Infrastructure Project Management Group (IPMG) with information on The Queensland Fluoridation Capital Assistance Program, Fluoridation technology and chemicals, and Suppliers and procurement. Copies were distributed to relevant Service Providers.

Fluoridation Background

2012

The training program for fluoridation operators was broadened after industry concerns were expressed about the need for practical training for small Water Service Providers.
State elections and the change of government saw fluoridation still supported but with a changing attitude to priorities.
Further information on the ongoing subsidy assistance program for small providers was requested by industry.

2011

Daily attendance at fluoridation installation was questioned by the industry and referred to the State technical committee for consideration of alternative risk-management approaches.
In January 2011 DIP appointed three consultants (Cardno, Beca, Aecom) to undertake reviews of concept designs while management of the roll-out is continued internally within the Department.

2010

In October, the contract for Implementation Project Management Group ends and DIP assume management internally.
September DLGP released an update of the Fluoridation Code of Practice (see e Flash # 94).

2009

The Fluoridation Operations and Maintenance Manual was created (with thanks to the qldwater fluoridation technical group) to update the fluoridation chapter of the qldwater Water Treatment Plant Operations and Maintenance Manual which had been superseded by the new legislation.
qldwater advocated strongly for development of an ongoing, accredited training program for water industry staff rather than a one-off road show to up-skill current water workers. Only an ongoing training approach can address the issues of staff turn-over, unavailability of some staff for a single training event, portability/recognition of skills and the need for managers and other staff to also receive training/information.
A three way MoU between DIP, TAFE Queensland and qldwater, is formed to develop online and face-to-face training program which is subsidised by DIP, as part of the fluoride capital subsidy program so that two participants from each water treatment plant can undertake the training free of charge as part of the capital roll-out program. Additional participants are charged at a rate of $500 per head.
Participants need only enrol in one unit (NWP276A- Fluoridation) and completion of a full Certificate 2 is not necessary to meet DIP requirements.

2008

Formation of the Queensland State fluoridation Committee (which includes LGAQ) and Fluoridation Technical Committee (which includes qldwater). The technical committee was instrumental in developing the Regulations and Code of Practice.
qldwater industry Fluoridation Technical Group is formed including representatives from:
- Central Highlands,
- Dalby,
- SEQWater,
- Toowoomba,
- Townsville,
- Wide Bay Water Service Providers,
- LGAQ, and
- representatives from the Departments of Health, Infrastructure and Planning.
This group influenced the development of the legislation, Code of Practice and the qldwater Fluoridation Operations and Maintenance Manual.
The Department of Infrastructure and Planning (DIP) was appointed the responsibility of managing the phased roll-out of installation of fluoridation infrastructure as well as administration of the Queensland Fluoridation Capital Assistance Program.
DIP appointed a consortium consisting of Cardno and Beca to act as the Implementation Project Management Group with responsibilities to oversee aspects of the roll-out (see e Flash # 48).
qldwater released a Fact Sheet on selecting optimal fluoridation chemical types for Queensland situations.
The Water Fluoridation Act 2008 came into effect on 5 December 2008.
Installation of new fluoridation equipment in communities across Queensland is staged with the majority of SEQ now being complete along with parts of regional Queensland.
Fluoridation of SEQ is mostly completed on schedule and in the surprising one-year period.
DIP formally advised all Councils of the process for the roll-out with a letter to all CEOs in November 2008. Two subsidies available to support fluoridation are also covered in this letter. They are a capital subsidy available to all councils and the ‘Smaller Communities Fluoridation Operating Grants Scheme’ for communities with fewer than 1700 residential connections.

2007

In December 2007 (see e Flash#27) the Queensland Premier announced that fluoridation of the majority of Queensland water supplies (namely those servicing populations greater than 1000) was to be mandatory.
qldwater wrote to the Premier and Queensland Health stressing the need to support Service Providers in meeting the requirements of the new legislation, particularly in terms of coping with the ongoing operations and maintenance of fluoridation equipment given the diversity of providers across the state.

Prior to 2007

Most communities in Queensland did not have fluoridated water supplies.
Some towns used bore water that had naturally high (‘background’) concentrations of fluoride while a few communities had invested in fluoridation equipment (for more details see the Fluoridation Background Document).