Martin Mould tells councillors about the fluoride plans for Cambridge.
Manatu Hauora (Ministry of Health) has told a further 27 councils in New Zealand they will have to add fluoride to their community water supply, but Waipā is not included in stage two.
The latest direction comes as Waipā Water Services manager told the Service Delivery committee the council has submitted its application to fund adding fluoride to Cambridge’s water supply.
Te Awamutu’s water supply was not part of the original edict from outgoing Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield in July.
Mould said the ministry has said there will be no further requests to councils until after 2024.
Waipā’s water has never been fluoridated – nor debated by council in several years – but the passing of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Act last year transferred the authority from district councils to the Ministry of Health and its public health officials.
Bloomfield’s last task before he retired was to use his powers and directed 14 local authorities, including Waipā, to get started.
The estimated costs for Cambridge, which would include the Karāpiro and Alpha Street plants, would be $480,000 with annual operating costs of $130,000.
Some funding was made available to support local authorities with the capital costs associated with introducing community water fluoridation.
The estimated time for implementation after receiving a directive to fluoridate water, is nine months.
Adding fluoride to water supplies is a measure to help prevent tooth decay – and it makes a “significant difference”, according to the Ministry of Health.
See: Fluoride – no mystery here
See: Fluoride: still not convinced
See: Fluoride call still a mystery
See: Cambridge: why the fluoride
See: Cambridge ordered to add fluoride to water
See: Fluoride: here next year?
See: Filling in where needed …..
The councils asked to respond to fluoridation requests are:
- Ōpōtiki District Council – Ōpōtiki
- Far North District Council – Kaikohe, Paihia, Kawakawa/Moerewa, Omapere, Okaihau, Rawene
- Wairoa District Council – Wairoa
- Rotorua Lakes District Council – Ngongotaha, Hamurana/Kaharoa, Reporoa, Rotoiti, Mamaku, Rotoma
- Whakatane District Council – Rangitaiki Plains, Otumahi, Murupara, Taneatua, Matata, Ruatoki
- Kaipara District Council – Dargaville, Maungaturoto
- Taupō District Council – Acacia Bay, Omori/Kuratau/Pukawa, Kinloch, Mangakino, Motuoapa
- Ruapehu District Council – Taumarunui, Ohakune, Raetihi
- Waitomo District Council – Te Kuiti, Piopio
- South Waikato District Council – Putaruru, Tirau
- Horowhenua District Council – Foxton, Foxton Beach, Shannon, Tokomaru
- Whanganui District Council – Whanganui
- Rangitikei District Council – Marton, Taihape, Bulls
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council – Muttons, Pongakawa, Ohouere, Youngson Road, Tahawai (linked with Athenree), Waihi Beach (linked with Athenree)
- Tararua District Council – Pahiatua, Woodville
- Hauraki District Council – Waihi, Paeroa, Kerepehi, Waitakaruru
- Hastings District Council – Haumoana/Te Awanga, Whirinaki – Hawkes Bay, Clive, Waimārama
- Napier City Council – Napier
- Hutt City Council – Petone, Korokoro
- Buller District Council – Westport, Reefton
- Westland District Council – Hokitika, Franz Josef
- Kaikōura District Council – Kaikōura
- Waimate District Council – Waimate, Hook/Waituna Rural
- Marlborough District Council – Blenheim, Picton/Waikawa, Renwick, Awatere, Riverlands Industrial, Havelock, Seddon
- Timaru District Council – Timaru City, Temuka, Downlands – Te Ana Wai, Geraldine, Te Moana Scheme, Pleasant Point, Seadown, Downlands-Waitohi
- Dunedin City Council – Waikouaiti, Outram
- Queenstown Lakes District Council – Queenstown, Wānaka, Arrowtown, Hawea, Lake Hayes, Arthurs Point, Glenorchy, Luggate.
