What Is Fluoride and Why Is It Added to Sydney Water?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that, at specific concentrations, has been shown to reduce tooth decay and improve dental health outcomes across populations. Sydney Water, under direction from NSW Health, adds fluoride to the reticulated water supply as a public health measure, a practice that has been in place in Sydney since 1968.
The addition of fluoride to drinking water is endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Australian Dental Association. The rationale is straightforward: fluoride in drinking water at recommended levels reduces dental cavities, particularly in children, at a population-wide scale and at minimal cost compared to other dental health interventions.
Whether you agree with water fluoridation as public policy or simply prefer to reduce your fluoride intake, understanding what is in your tap water, and how to filter it, is your right as a consumer.
How Much Fluoride Is in Sydney Water?
Sydney Water targets a fluoride concentration of 1.0mg/L (milligrams per litre), equivalent to 1 part per million (ppm). This places Sydney's fluoride level above that of most other Australian capital cities:
- Sydney: 1.0mg/L, highest of any Australian capital
- Melbourne: 0.9mg/L
- Brisbane: 0.7mg/L
- Adelaide: 0.6mg/L
- Perth: 0.6–0.8mg/L
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) set a maximum fluoride concentration of 1.5mg/L. Sydney's target of 1.0mg/L sits below this maximum but is at the higher end of ranges used internationally. The WHO's recommended optimal range for dental health is 0.5–1.0mg/L, and Sydney is at the top of this range.
Data source: Sydney Water Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Fluoride is measured at multiple points across the distribution network. Actual concentrations can vary between 0.6mg/L and 1.1mg/L depending on network location and seasonal variation, with 1.0mg/L as the maintained target.
Is Fluoride in Drinking Water Safe?
At 1.0mg/L, Sydney's fluoride level complies with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and is classified as safe for drinking by NSW Health and the NHMRC. There is strong scientific consensus that fluoride at this concentration does not cause adverse health effects in adults or children when consumed as drinking water.
At significantly higher concentrations (above 4mg/L), long-term fluoride consumption is associated with dental fluorosis (mottling of tooth enamel) and, at very high levels, skeletal fluorosis. These risks are not associated with Sydney's fluoride level.
However, many Sydney households choose to reduce their fluoride intake for personal reasons, particularly households with infants (where parents prefer to use low-fluoride water to prepare formula) or individuals who prefer to minimise their exposure to added compounds in their drinking water. This is a personal choice, not a medical necessity at Sydney's current fluoride level.
What Does NOT Remove Fluoride from Sydney Water
This is where many Sydney households are misled. Several common water filtration products do not remove fluoride, despite being marketed as general water filters:
- Activated carbon block filters: Remove chlorine, chloramines, taste and odour compounds, but fluoride passes straight through. Standard under-sink carbon filters do not remove fluoride.
- Twin-stage under-sink filters (e.g. Pure Essential): Remove sediment and improve taste. No fluoride removal.
- Pitcher filters (e.g. Brita): Improve taste by adsorbing some chlorine. Do not remove fluoride.
- UV filters: Destroy bacteria and viruses using ultraviolet light. Have no effect on dissolved minerals including fluoride.
- Boiling water: Effective against bacteria but concentrates fluoride, the water content reduces but the fluoride remains, increasing its concentration.
| Filter Type | Removes Fluoride? | What It Does Remove |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon block filter | No | Chlorine, taste, odour |
| Twin-stage under-sink | No | Sediment, chlorine, taste |
| Pitcher filter (Brita etc.) | No | Some chlorine, taste |
| UV filter | No | Bacteria, viruses |
| Reverse osmosis (RO) | Yes, 93–96% | Fluoride, chloramines, heavy metals, PFAS, microplastics |
What DOES Remove Fluoride, Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is the only domestic water filtration technology that effectively removes fluoride from Sydney tap water. An RO membrane, the central component of an RO system, has pores small enough (0.0001 microns) to physically block fluoride ions from passing through. The result is a reduction of 93–96% of fluoride in the filtered water.
A 5-stage reverse osmosis system such as the Pure Plus+ ($840 installed) removes not just fluoride but also chloramines, heavy metals including lead and arsenic, PFAS compounds, nitrates, microplastics and dissolved solids. It is the most comprehensive point-of-use filtration technology available for residential use.
The filtered water is stored in a pressurised tank under your kitchen sink and delivered through a dedicated filtered water tap on your benchtop. You continue to use your regular taps for cooking and washing, the RO system is used specifically for drinking water and cooking where water quality matters most.
Jean-Paul's Recommendation, Pure Plus+ for Fluoride Removal
Jean-Paul Barbar, NSW Licensed Plumber #461511C and founder of Filters For You, recommends the Pure Plus+ 5-stage reverse osmosis system as the starting point for any Sydney household that wants to remove fluoride from their drinking water.
At $840 fully installed, the Pure Plus+ provides:
- Stage 1: Sediment pre-filter, removes particles and protects the membrane
- Stages 2–3: Dual carbon block, removes chloramines and organic compounds
- Stage 4: RO membrane, removes 93–96% of fluoride and 99%+ of dissolved contaminants
- Stage 5: Post-carbon polish, removes residual taste from tank storage
For households that want alkaline remineralised water after RO filtration, the Pure Compact ($930) adds an alkaline remineralisation stage that adds beneficial minerals back after the RO membrane. Both systems remove fluoride at the same 93–96% rate.
Jean-Paul installs every system personally across Greater Sydney. Call 0430 546 749 to book or get a detailed cost breakdown here.
