Kia ora, welcome to the Fluoridation project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including frequently asked questions, and a timeline of upcoming steps. Check out the information on the right-hand side of this page for all this and more.
Why is Council fluoridating some of its water supply?
Council has been directed by the Ministry of Health to fluoridate two water treatment plants in the Western Supply Zone. These treatment plants predominantly supply water to Waihī Beach and Athenree areas - the area covers Waihī Beach, Athenree, Tanners Point, Katikati and the reticulated rural area through to Morton Road.
Council is required to ensure that it is fluoridating at the optimal levels (between 0.7 parts per million to 1 part per million) by 31 July 2025. If Council does not comply with this order, it constitutes an offence under the Health Act.
At this stage Council has not received further direction to fluoridate Western Bay of Plenty’s remaining WTPs (Muttons, Pongakawa, Ohourere, Youngson Road, Tahawai and Waihī Beach).
What about the High Court ruling in 2023 about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful?
The 2023 high court ruling about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful hasn’t quashed the direction to fluoridate, so we will continue to proceed unless instructed otherwise by the Ministry of Health – we need a formal instruction to stop. If we stop planning now, it will be difficult to meet the prescribed timelines.
We intend to follow the law at all times and will continue to keep a watching brief on legal developments. The estimates we provided still stand, however we have not gone to the market to confirm the costs and will only do so once the designs are finalised.
We intend to follow the law at all times and will continue to keep a watching brief on legal developments.
Kia ora, welcome to the Fluoridation project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including frequently asked questions, and a timeline of upcoming steps. Check out the information on the right-hand side of this page for all this and more.
Why is Council fluoridating some of its water supply?
Council has been directed by the Ministry of Health to fluoridate two water treatment plants in the Western Supply Zone. These treatment plants predominantly supply water to Waihī Beach and Athenree areas - the area covers Waihī Beach, Athenree, Tanners Point, Katikati and the reticulated rural area through to Morton Road.
Council is required to ensure that it is fluoridating at the optimal levels (between 0.7 parts per million to 1 part per million) by 31 July 2025. If Council does not comply with this order, it constitutes an offence under the Health Act.
At this stage Council has not received further direction to fluoridate Western Bay of Plenty’s remaining WTPs (Muttons, Pongakawa, Ohourere, Youngson Road, Tahawai and Waihī Beach).
What about the High Court ruling in 2023 about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful?
The 2023 high court ruling about the Ministry of Health directive being unlawful hasn’t quashed the direction to fluoridate, so we will continue to proceed unless instructed otherwise by the Ministry of Health – we need a formal instruction to stop. If we stop planning now, it will be difficult to meet the prescribed timelines.
We intend to follow the law at all times and will continue to keep a watching brief on legal developments. The estimates we provided still stand, however we have not gone to the market to confirm the costs and will only do so once the designs are finalised.
We intend to follow the law at all times and will continue to keep a watching brief on legal developments.
