After extensive feedback from dentists, suppliers and installers, the Dentists for Cleaner Water Project Steering Committee has made changes to the amalgam separator rebate claim terms and conditions.

While ISO 11143 compliant amalgam separators must be fitted on all suction units, the installation of an amalgam sedimentation unit on at least one dirty sink is now optional.

For further details, click here. 

The Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings (pictured), today launched the Dentists for Cleaner Water Project at the city dental practice of Dr Axel Ecke.

Dr Ecke recently installed amalgam separation equipment in his practice in response to the project, which is managed by the ADAVB and funded by the EPA Victoria and various water boards.

The dental profession expects to spend more than $5m on the purchase and installation of amalgam separation devices in about 900 dental practices across the State.  A rebate scheme, funded by the EPA Victoria, Southeast Water, Citywest Water and Vicwater, will provide subsidies worth almost $1m to help offset the substantial capital and installation costs of this filtration technology.

The filters previously used in dental practices did not capture the finer particles of amalgam waste produced when fillings are placed, polished or removed.  Separators that meet International Standard ISO 11143:2008 will remove more than 95% of wastes, and most are rated to capture over 97%.  To qualify for the rebate, dentists must also commit to having the captured waste collected for recycling.

The Plumbing Industry Commission regulates plumbing requirements in Victoria, including those connecting dental surgery plumbing to drainage and sewerage systems.

They have written to the water boards to advise that when fitting amalgam separation devices to chairs, suction units and sinks, the following installation requrements apply

• a fixture trap shall be fitted at the outlet to the separator.  Where the separator is less than DN 40 the minimum size fixture trap will be DN 40.  Where the outlet is greater than DN 40 the fixture trap will be the sme size as the outlet
• The fixture trap outlet will conect to the plumbing or drainage installation in accordance with Plumbing Regulations as appropriate

They have also advised that Plumbing Regulations do not apply to the inlet pipe to the separator or the outlet pipe size of the separator itself.  In addition, unless required by the manufacturer of the separator, ventilation of the separator appliance itself is not required.

Given the very positive response by dental practices to the Dentists for Cleaner Water project, many suppliers and installers have reported that they now have long waiting times for installation of amalgam separation devices.

ADAVB members have been advised that this is the case, and asked to be patient while orders are addressed in order of receipt. 

Between March and July 2008, over 500 members have contacted the Branch to cogratulate the ADAVB and the funding agencies for establishing the Dentists for Cleaner Water project, and to confirm their commitment to install ISO 11143 compliant amalgam separators in their practices.

The target for the scheme is for 900 practices to make this commitment by June 2011.  For so many to have made the commitment at the beginning of the project is a fine testament to the profession's environmental awareness and responsibility.   It also vindicates the faith placed in the profession by the Government and its environmental and water agencies, to adopt a cooperative approach to waste management rather than a regulatory response.