The fluoride status of Dubbo's public water supply, who decides, and how to check it yourself. Page last updated 6 November 2026.
Fluoride dosing returns in November 2026 after nearly eight years without it (off since January 2019).
The equipment failed in January 2019. A roughly $1 million tender for a new powdered sodium fluorosilicate system was awarded in April 2023.
In a state where only the Health Secretary can approve stopping fluoridation, Dubbo's supply went close to eight years without it. The fix is now months behind schedule.
Who adds it, how much, what the evidence says, what critics argue, and where in Australia it isn't added at all.
In 2009, a shut-down plant kept dosing fluoride, an alarm was dismissed as false, and safety switches had been disabled. What went wrong, and could it happen again?
Health authorities, including the NHMRC, recommend drinking fluoridated tap water to reduce tooth decay. Some residents prefer to reduce their intake, and that's a personal choice.
7 November 2026: Listed as fluoride added from November 2026, when the new dosing system was scheduled to be commissioned.
Law: Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957
Who decides: Councils apply, NSW Health approves. Only the Health Secretary can approve stopping.
Coverage: about 93% of residents (2017). First fluoridated: Yass, 1956.
Fluoride is due back in November 2026: commissioning of new dosing equipment was scheduled for 3 to 10 November 2026, after nearly eight years off (since January 2019).
Yes. Fluoride is added to Dubbo's water. Fluoride dosing returns in November 2026 after nearly eight years without it (off since January 2019).
Councils apply, NSW Health approves. Only the Health Secretary can approve stopping.
Look up Dubbo Regional Council's annual drinking water quality report, which lists fluoride in mg/L by supply zone. You can also ask the utility for monthly readings.
No. Boiling leaves the fluoride behind and slightly concentrates it. Reverse osmosis, distillation and activated alumina filters remove fluoride. Read more.