Ōamaru’s water supply will be fluoridated from next week.

Following certification of the plant equipment, and in line with the statutory duty of mandatory compliance under the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021, the Oamaru water supply will be fluoridated starting next week.

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 1 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 Ōamaru water supply.

Waitaki is one of 14 local authorities who were directed to fluoridate their water supplies.

The cost of fluoridating the water supply is more than $500,000, including construction of a building to house the necessary equipment.

This cost is being fully funded by Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health), following an application made by the council.

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

The Oamaru water supply (consisting of Oamaru, Ardgowan, Weston, Enfield, Kakanui, Maheno, Herbert, Hampden and Moeraki) will be fluoridated.

This will not affect private water schemes such as Corriedale Water Management Ltd, the Lower Waitaki scheme or supplies in the Waitaki Valley. South of Moeraki (Palmerston, Dunback, Stoneburn) will not be fluoridated.

The Waitaki District Council will not be offering a fluoride-free water source in Ōamaru.

More information is available on the Waitaki District Council page on the Fluoridation Requirement and the Ministry of Health page regarding fluoridating water supplies.