Dr Ashley Bloomfield is recommending councils get on with fluoridating community water supplies with systems in Clyde, Alexandra, Cromwell, Ranfurly and Roxburgh fitting his criteria for action.

Supplies serving more than 500 people, as these all do, will eventually have to be fluoridated, following a law change last year. The move is aimed at substantially reducing rates of preventable tooth decay.

According to a letter to councils from the out-going Director-General of Health, using the additive in community supply was a proven public health measure for improving oral health.

If the government’s Three Waters Reforms are adopted in 2024, it will become a job for a yet-to-be- formed entity but in the meantime, he encouraged councils not to wait.

“I encourage all local authorities with un-fluoridated community water supplies that service over 500 people to start fluoridation-related preparatory work now.”

The Health Ministry was offering a financial carrot, with some capital works funding available for councils “willing and able” to begin the move by the end of this year. Central Otago was not going to be in a position to meet that deadline, yesterday’s Central Otago District Council meeting heard,

with a timeframe of 18 months being estimated by council’s water services manager, Ian Evans, to initiate and action dosing into community supply.

Councils have now been asked to supply government with information on their water upgrade requirements and costings.

If fluoridation became compulsory, CODC say the logical plan would be to introduce it as existing treatment plants were upgraded, with the new Lake Dunstan Water treatment plant occurring first.

“A review has been undertaken to confirm that there is sufficient space to include fluoridation within the site layout at the new Lake Dunstan treatment site.

Current estimates indicate a cost of approximately $255,000 per site,” a council report states.

Fluoridation of water had proved a divisive issue in the past, with many people not in favour of it.