The fluoride status of Brisbane's public water supply, who decides, and how to check it yourself. Page last updated 6 November 2026.
Fluoridated via the Seqwater grid since 2008-09 under the Bligh mandate.
Works at Mt Crosby began in September 2008 under the Water Fluoridation Act 2008. A new Holts Hill dosing facility serving both plants was commissioned in 2018.
Since 2012, council after council has voted to stop. Gympie, Cooktown, Banana and Central Highlands are the latest. Both major parties have left it to local government.
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.
Law: Water Fluoridation Act 2008 (amended 2012)
Who decides: Each council decides, since the 2012 handover. 16 of 77 still add it.
Coverage: about 72% of residents. First fluoridated: Mandated 2008.
Seqwater's Mt Crosby plant had a fluoride dosing disruption after an equipment structural failure. September 2026 samples ranged from 0.07 to 0.79 mg/L (average 0.41), below the 0.8 mg/L target.
Fluoridated since 2008-09.
Yes. Fluoride is added to Brisbane's water. Fluoridated via the Seqwater grid since 2008-09 under the Bligh mandate.
Each council decides, since the 2012 handover. 16 of 77 still add it.
Look up Brisbane City (Seqwater)'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.