Friday, November 8, 2024

Fluoridation of Oamaru water to begin

Oamaru’s water supply will begin to be fluoridated from this week, following certification of plant equipment, and in line with the statutory duty of mandatory compliance under the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021.

The supply will be fluoridated in line with Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations 2022 and section 116I of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water Amendment Act 2021) as directed by the Director-General of Health at between 0.7 to 1ppm (parts per million).

In July 2022, the Director-General of Health directed the Waitaki District Council, under section 116E the Health Act, to add fluoride to the Oamaru water supply. Waitaki is one of 14 local authorities who were directed to fluoridate their water supplies.

“In accordance with the Act, Council was required to ensure the Oamaru supply is fluoridated at the optimal levels by 30 June 2024,” Council said in a statement.

“The cost of doing so is more than $500,000, including construction of the building required to house the necessary equipment. This cost is being fully funded by ManatÅ« Hauora (the Ministry of Health), following an application made by Council.

“The ongoing cost of adding fluoride to the supply will be around $40,000 and included in the Water Treatment Plant operating budgets.”

The Council had pushed back on the directive, asking first for an extension of time from the Department of Health to the deadline for adding fluoride to the Ōamaru water supply. 

In a 2023 letter to the Director General of Health, the Council Chief Executive outlined the Council’s concerns with the legal position around the decision of the Director General together with strong concerns from sections of the community. 

“Council also agreed to advocate to Parliament that under the principles of localism, local communities be given the right to choose whether fluoride is added to their water,” it said in a statement.

“The Mayor, in his letter to the Minister for Health, requested a reconsideration and also noted that as the decision-maker about fluoridation, the Ministry of Health should also be responsible for ensuring information about fluoridation is provided to the communities, rather than councils who have not made the decision.”

“Waitaki District Council received a response from Dr Diana Sarfati, Director-General of Health last week. In it she cited the High Court relief decision of 16 February 2024, and a subsequent decision on 24 May 2024, as legal basis for not granting extensions for the fluoridation directive.”

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