Kallista Fluoride Project
In cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services and Melbourne Water, fluoride has been added to the water supplied to customers in parts of Kallista, Macclesfield, Menzies Creek, Monbulk, The Patch, Avonsleigh, Clematis, Cockatoo, Emerald and Gembrook, to bring the area’s water supply in line with the rest of Melbourne.
This means that those residents are receiving fluoridated water for the first time.
Read more about fluoridated water.
Project details
The water supply to people living in these suburbs is currently supplied from Silvan Reservoir. The water is pumped through pipes to a pumping and treatment station, located in Kallista, for disinfection before being supplied to customers. A new fluoridation plant was constructed at this treatment station site, and it has been operational since April 2019.
Customers have been receiving a fluoridated water supply since mid-2019.
Your questions answered
Why did the water supply change?
Most of Melbourne receives a drinking water supply that is chlorinated to keep it safe and has fluoride at a level that provides a dental health benefit.
Before its recent upgrade, the pumping and treatment station which has been servicing Kallista, Macclesfield, Menzies Creek, Monbulk, The Patch, Avonsleigh, Clematis, Cockatoo, Emerald and Gembrook since 1998 only provided chlorinated water. This means that people living in these suburbs were not receiving the same standard of treated water which the rest of Melbourne receives.
Moving to a fluoridated water supply provides dental health benefits for customers in these suburbs, and meets the Department of Health’s requirement to bring the area’s water supply in line with the rest of Melbourne.
What are the current supply requirements for Melbourne?
Melbourne Water treats Melbourne’s drinking water supplies to ensure it is free from micro-organisms that can cause disease and making the water safe to drink. Fluoride is also added to the water supply to help reduce tooth decay. The addition of fluoride is in accordance with the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 and Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.
Is there be a noticeable change in the water?
No, adding fluoride to the water supply does not affect the quality or taste of the water.
Find out more
If you have any questions about your water supply, please contact Yarra Valley Water’s Customer Contact Centre on 1300 853 811.
Additionally, you can call the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) water fluoridation information line on 1800 651 723 (toll free), or visit their website at www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/water/water-fluoridation.
Read the DHHS water fluoridation fact sheet (591kb)
Read the NHMRC public statement about fluoridation (451kb)
Read the NHMRC Q&A about water fluoridation (929kb)
For details about construction activities at the Kallista site, please contact Melbourne Water’s Customer Service Centre on 131 722 and quote ‘Kallista Fluoride Project’, or visit Melbourne Water's website.