Photo: Lacombe County council decided the municipality will survey residents of a subdivision about a fluoride issue after about a third showed up to a public meeting. Gull Lake is pictured at top. Google Maps

Lacombe County council decided the municipality will survey residents of a subdivision about a fluoride issue after about a third showed up to a public meeting. The resolution was passed at the Mar. 12 regular council meeting.

Manager of Utility Services Darren Dempsey presented councillors with an update on the Lakeview Estates fluoride study by noting a public information session was held followed by council committing public funds to the fluoride level in Lakeview Estates water.

“On Feb. 26 Lacombe County held an informational public engagement meeting for the residents of Lakeview Estates” stated Dempsey’s report to council. “The consensus among the nine residents who attended was that a single kitchen tap reverse osmosis (RO) unit was preferred.

“However following the event an email from one of the attendees stated that the installation of a Lacombe County-monitored and maintained RO unit was not favoured.

“During the meeting residents discussed forming a Lakeview Estates Home Association but the details are still in the early stages. Furthermore nine of 32 residences do not give Lacombe County administration a reasonable consensus of Lakeview residents’ shared understanding or harmony.”

Dempsey noted in his report that on March 27 2025 council approved kitchen single-tap point-of-use (POU) reverse osmosis (RO) units within Lakeview Estates to mitigate fluoride. The estimated cost for this option was $64,000.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Tim Timmons noted during discussion that this approval was to be paid for by the municipality and was the least expensive option available. Timmons pointed out later in the meeting the public may be aware Lacombe County has offered to pay for this option but may not be aware the county hasn’t offered to pay for other options.

The council report also included the respective provincial laws governing potable water and fluoride levels.

Dempsey noted in his verbal presentation nine of the 32 residences affected by the fluoride in question showed up to the info session.

The CAO observed that wasn’t enough to move ahead on a decision and instead proposed a survey be sent to all 32 residences requesting input on how they wish to proceed on this issue.

Councillors discussed the issue at length; it was noted Lacombe County council could mandate a decision through a bylaw.

Some councillors noted they’ve received feedback from the public on this issue and felt anything sent to the public should include detailed factual information about the fluoride issue including a clear list of options and available information from previous investigations. It was noted it seems some members of the public don’t seem to care about this issue and feel they have an adequate water system in place and paying for anything else is a waste of money.

Councillors also voiced surprise at the lack of concern among the residents about the fluoride issue; they wondered if a door-to-door campaign was an option. It was also noted that perhaps the county should simply wait until the Jan. 1 2030 mandated date to install equipment.

Councillors passed a resolution that the county manager be authorized to send a fact sheet, a survey and a return envelope with paid postage to all residents of Lakeview Estates to gain insight and build consensus on residents’ thoughts concerning POU systems.