Answers to Questions

WATER FLUORIDATION

In reply to the Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (9 November 2010).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises): The Minister for Water has been advised that:

1. SA Water has not ceased sourcing fluorosilicic acid from Incitec Pivot. SA Water sources fluorosilicic acid, which is the liquid form of fluoride, from Incitec Pivot for plants such as the Morgan water treatment plant and the Happy Valley water treatment plant. The powder form of fluoride, sodium fluoride, which is used at locations such as the Mount Pleasant water treatment plant and Mount Gambier, is sourced from Orica.

2. SA Water does not have a comparative price of locally produced and internationally sourced fluorosilicic acid. All fluorosilicic acid purchased by SA Water is sourced locally through Incitec Pivot.

3. There are no concerns about the sodium fluoride provided by Shanghai MintChem Development Company as the product is required to conform to Standards AWWA B701—Sodium Fluoride and NSF/ANSI 60—Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals—Health Effects.

4. SA Water is presently contracted to Incitec Pivot for the supply of fluorosilicic acid and Orica for the supply of sodium fluoride. The requirement to supply Certificates of Analysis presently form part of the contractual requirements and will continue to do so for future contracts. Certificates of Analysis are supplied for each batch produced.