It turns out re-introducing fluoride to the water supply in Windsor, Tecumseh and LaSalle is not as easy as turning on a tap.
Vice-President of Water Operations Garry Rossi told BlackburnNews.com the process could take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
"There's some consultation that we're going to have to have with the Ministry of the Environment and also, the Essex County Water Source Protection Committee," he said.
He assured the public studying the impact of fluoride in the water supply is not done yet.
"It's going to be an extensive process," said Rossi. "Whenever we add anything new to the water system we have to do a treatability study to make sure there's no ill effects."
There will also be engineering studies.
All of that costs money. Rossi said there is no money in the budget to reintroduce fluoride.
"Obviously we would have to get some funding for this expense," he said. "We've got a gross estimate right now of about $850,000 just to get it implemented."
In a letter to city council, Rossi also said it would cost the commission another $150,000 a year to operate, maintain, and buy the fluoride additive.
