How much fluoride is in Melbourne water?
Quick answer: Melbourne's drinking water contains between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/L of fluoride, with an optimum target of 0.9 mg/L. Fluoride is added at water treatment plants by Melbourne Water and has been part of Melbourne's water supply since 1977. A small number of outer areas in the Yarra Valley Water service zone are not fluoridated.
How much fluoride is in Melbourne water?
Melbourne's tap water is fluoridated to a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per litre (mg/L), with the optimum concentration set at 0.9 mg/L. According to Yarra Valley Water, these figures represent the acceptable operating range maintained across the metropolitan supply. The level is not a fixed number but a managed range, and your tap water may sit anywhere within it depending on the day and your location within the network.
It is also worth noting that, as Yarra Valley Water explains, fluoride occurs naturally in many public water supplies. The fluoride added at treatment plants is in addition to any naturally occurring fluoride already present in the source water.
Who adds fluoride to Melbourne water, and when did it start?
Fluoride is added to Melbourne's drinking water at water treatment plants operated by Melbourne Water, before the water reaches your tap. Yarra Valley Water confirms that water supplied to its customers is fluoridated at those treatment plants by Melbourne Water.
Melbourne has had fluoridated water since 1977, according to health.vic.gov.au. The practice is regulated under the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973, which governs the fluoridation of drinking water supplies across Victoria, as noted by Yarra Valley Water.
Are all Melbourne areas fluoridated?
Most of metropolitan Melbourne receives fluoridated water, but not every area in the broader Yarra Valley Water service zone does. According to Yarra Valley Water, areas that do not currently have fluoride added to the water supply are in the water sampling localities of Emerald, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Warburton, Healesville and Yarra Glen.
If you live in or near one of these localities, your tap water may contain only naturally occurring fluoride rather than the fluoridated levels maintained across the rest of the network. If you are unsure about your specific address, contacting your local water authority directly is the most reliable way to confirm.
What are your filtration options if fluoride is a concern?
Standard tap filters, shower filters and bath filters are designed to reduce chlorine, sediment and associated taste and odour.
If reducing fluoride in your drinking water is a priority, the relevant filtration category to look at is advanced point-of-use electric filtration. The Evolved H2O HydroX Electric Water Filter is the Evolved H2O option for fluoride-focused filtration. HydroX is designed to reduce up to 98% of fluoride. Actual reduction depends on your water conditions and how the filter is used, so check the product specifications for full details.
For everyday chlorine, sediment and taste-and-odour reduction at the tap, the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter is a compact option suited to kitchen tap use.
How to choose a water filter with fluoride in mind
- Confirm your local fluoride level: Check with your water authority (Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, City West Water or Melbourne Water) to understand the fluoride concentration at your address.
- Identify your priority: If fluoride reduction is your main goal, look specifically for point-of-use filters with product specifications that address fluoride. Not all filters are designed for this.
- Check the product specifications: Filter performance varies by media type, flow rate and cartridge life. Always read the specification sheet for the specific product you are considering.
- Consider your water use: Fluoride in drinking water is the primary concern for most households. Shower and bath filters serve a different purpose and are not relevant to fluoride reduction.
- Cartridge replacement: Any filter's performance depends on regular cartridge replacement according to the manufacturer's schedule. Factor this into your decision.
- Non-fluoridated areas: If you are in Emerald, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Warburton, Healesville or Yarra Glen, your fluoride level may differ from the metropolitan range. Confirm with your water authority before making a filtration decision based on fluoride.
Evolved H2O filtration options
If fluoride reduction in drinking water is your focus, the Evolved H2O HydroX Electric Water Filter is designed to reduce up to 98% of fluoride at the point of use. Actual reduction depends on your water conditions and how the filter is used, so check the product specifications to confirm it suits your setup.
For chlorine, sediment and taste-and-odour reduction at the kitchen tap, the Evolved H2O Advanced Tap Filter is a compact, easy-to-install option for everyday filtered drinking and cooking water.
Which Evolved H2O Filter Is Right for You?
Different areas of the home need different types of filtration. Use this quick guide to match the right Evolved H2O option to the water problem you are trying to solve.
-
For fluoride-focused filtration
HydroX Electric Water Filter
Choose this if fluoride is your priority. HydroX is designed to reduce up to 98% of fluoride, depending on your water conditions and how the filter is used.
View the HydroX Electric Water Filter -
For shower water
Advanced Shower Filter
Choose this if your main concern is chlorine taste and odour in warm shower water, or you want a simple inline filter between your shower arm and showerhead.
View the Advanced Shower Filter -
For tap drinking water
Advanced Tap Filter
Choose this if you want a compact tap filter for everyday drinking and cooking water, without changing your full plumbing setup.
View the Advanced Tap Filter -
For bath water
Advanced Bath Filter
Choose this if your focus is bath water for babies, kids, or sensitive skin routines, and you want a simple option designed for bath use.
View the Advanced Bath Filter -
For everyday filtered water
Glass Water Filter Jug
Choose this if you want a glass water filter jug for everyday drinking water, with a plastic-free jug design and simple refill cartridge setup.
View the Glass Water Filter Jug
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fluoride level in Melbourne tap water?
Melbourne's tap water is fluoridated to between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/L, with an optimum target of 0.9 mg/L. This range is maintained by Melbourne Water at treatment plants and is regulated under the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973. The exact level at your tap may vary within this range depending on your location and the day.
Has Melbourne always had fluoride in its water?
No. Melbourne has had fluoridated water since 1977, according to the Victorian Department of Health. Before that, fluoride was not added to the metropolitan supply. The practice has been in place for nearly five decades and is governed by Victorian legislation.
Are there parts of Melbourne where water is not fluoridated?
Yes. Within the Yarra Valley Water service area, the localities of Emerald, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Warburton, Healesville and Yarra Glen do not currently have fluoride added to their water supply. If you live in one of these areas, contact your water authority to confirm your local situation.
Does a standard tap filter reduce fluoride?
Standard tap filters are designed to reduce chlorine, sediment and associated taste and odour. If fluoride reduction is your goal, look specifically at point-of-use filters with product specifications that address fluoride, and check those specifications carefully before purchasing.
Which Evolved H2O filter is relevant if I am concerned about fluoride?
The HydroX Electric Water Filter is designed to reduce up to 98% of fluoride in drinking water at the point of use. Actual reduction depends on your water conditions and how the filter is used. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Check the product specifications for full details.
Is the fluoride in Melbourne water naturally occurring or added?
Both. Fluoride occurs naturally in many public water supplies. Melbourne Water also adds fluoride at treatment plants to bring the concentration to the regulated range of 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L. The fluoride you receive at the tap is a combination of any naturally present fluoride and the amount added during treatment.
Key takeaways
- Melbourne's tap water is fluoridated to 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L, with an optimum of 0.9 mg/L, as stated by Yarra Valley Water.
- Fluoride has been added to Melbourne's water supply since 1977 and is regulated under the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973.
- Melbourne Water adds fluoride at treatment plants; some fluoride also occurs naturally in the source water.
- The localities of Emerald, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Warburton, Healesville and Yarra Glen are not currently fluoridated.
- Standard tap, shower and bath filters are not designed or claimed to reduce fluoride. For fluoride-focused filtration, check the specifications of advanced point-of-use options such as the HydroX Electric Water Filter.
Shop the HydroX Electric Water Filter
Sources
