Fluoridation Audit and Assessment

Technical Assessment for Fluoridation of Regional Public Drinking Water Supplies

SunWater partnered with Local Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS) to provide a range of technical services and advice to Queensland Health and the Department of Infrastructure and Planning in preparation for the fluoridation of regional drinking water supplies. Queensland State Government announced in December 2007 the decision to provide fluoridated water for over 90% of the population by 2012. South East Queensland will receive fluoridated water in 2008. The regional program will commence in 2009 for major regional councils (Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba). The program has identified Indigenous communities and smaller regional councils to follow-on in 2010 to 2012.

SunWater reviewed over 110 water treatment plants for the program and has made a preliminary assessment of preferred fluoridation technologies and chemical for consideration in developing major procurement and delivery models. SunWater assembled a team of technical specialists (operators and engineers) from its regional bases (Ayr, Biloela, Bundaberg, Ipswich, Mackay (Eton), Mareeba) to manage a detailed investigation of council water treatment plants, distribution assets, quality management systems, and capability to manage introduction of fluoride into their drinking water supply.

The program was workshopped to understand the needs of Queensland Health to manage the likely impacts of Council amalgamation and geographical challenges of remote areas. The program was completed over a five week period and included a front end telephone survey and site visitation trips to photograph and record specific areas of plant and equipment that would be reconfigured in an integrated solution that considered current operations, risks to operators, and would fast track the design and delivery processes that would follow on from our work.

The team utilised the strong regional presence and operations capability to ensure cost effective and timely delivery of information. The results of the survey and photographs were recorded on SunWater’s regional wide area network (WAN) data management system. This enabled efficient collaboration and reporting processes to be developed in Brisbane and made available to Queensland Health on a weekly basis. The results of the regional state survey were known within two weeks of completing the program.

Some key issues identified included:

• Water supply schemes of special complexity
• Communities that should have immediate technical programs for future investigation
• Areas in the State where water quality will need improving
• Specific councils that will require special program and technical assistance to deliver fluoridated water.

Some of the areas that councils will require assistance include technology evaluation and risk assessments, conceptual design, project management and construction, assistance with economic and business case development, compliance and reporting systems, chemical supply and contract management.

These and other key areas have been identified for the implementation program manager and councils.

The SunWater team used a balance report card approach to make a preliminary assessment of preferred fluoridation technology and chemicals. The tools that were developed and used included a multi-criteria analysis and decision table. The decision table incorporated findings from our survey, council preference, plant design, technical capability, work environment, and quality management systems. The scorecard was developed from a system of weighting to arrive at the preliminary assessment for fluoride technology and chemicals. These recommendations are to be provided to councils as a starting point to further activities.

For more information about fluoridated water, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/fluoride.

For more information about the project, contact us.

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