Fluoride expected to return to Windsor water supply in the fall, health unit says

If all goes to plan, fluoridatedwater will be flowing from local tapsthis fall for the first time in years, according to the top public healthdoctor for Windsor and Essex County.

Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health, saidthat the plannedreintroduction of fluoride into the water supplywas delayed due to studies done by Enwin Utilities Ltd.water division to ensure that it wouldn't impact ongoing lead control efforts.

"Because of some of the delays, with respect to closure, travel restrictions and what not, they're hoping that they will finish all of these studies and November 2021, they should be able to add fluoride back into the water," he said at the health unit's daily briefing on Friday.

Ahmed, who calledthe stepan important public health intervention,said that the community's oral health has suffered in the periodwithout fluoride in the drinkingwater supply.

"The oral health of our children is decliningeverywhere in Windsor-Essex. So, with the reintroduction of fluoride, we know that it would help improve the oral health of our community," he said.

The reintroduction of fluoride will cap off alengthysagaover the mineral, which isadded to waterto prevent tooth decay but can increase the risk of an enamel discolouration known asfluorosisif children consume more than recommended.

Fluoride had been added to the water in Windsor for decades but in 2013, city councillorsvoted to discontinue its use.

Council reversed thatdecision in 2018. In order to proceed, approvalwas also needed fromTecumseh or LaSalle council, which share Windsor's water supply. The green light came inApril 2019 from Tecumseh.