FAQs

Fluoride is one of the most common elements on earth. It is found in air, soil, plants, water and lots of foods. In New Zealand natural fluoride levels in water supplies vary but are generally at a level less than 0.2mg/L. The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health recommends adjusting fluoride levels to between 0.7 and 1.0 mg/L in drinking water as the most effective and efficient way of preventing dental decay.

New Zealand water supplies have very low levels of natural fluoride. Water fluoridation is the process of topping up the fluoride to provide protection against tooth decay.

No, historically it has been a decision for each Council and their community. Around 60 percent of New Zealanders drink fluoridated water.

True - some parts of the world have high enough levels of natural fluoride in their water so they don’t need to boost fluoride content. Other countries have different ways to deliver the benefits of fluoride.

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.

Fluoride is added during the final stages of water treatment, Council is looking to use fluorosilicic acid (SFA). SFA comes in a liquid and is added to the water at a controlled rate, relative to the flow through the treatment plant to achieve a target concentration.

Currently, fluoride levels in our raw water supply is below detectable limits. The direction sets a target concentration of fluoride in treated water between 0.7 and 1.0 mg/L. This is consistent with levels throughout New Zealand.

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.

The Good Practice Guide for Fluoridation of Drinking Water Supplies in New Zealand sets out how water fluoridation plants should be designed and operated to ensure the safe and effective addition of fluoride to drinking-water supplies.

In addition, as part of the normal operation of the WTP the operators are required to monitor the treatment plant 24 hours a day. Council has confidence that the monitoring and response procedures that will be put in place for the fluoridation process will provide the necessary oversight to prevent harm to the community from the operation of the fluoridation equipment. Any exceedances must be reported to Taumata Arowai (the water services regulator).

Council provides potable water that meets the requirements of the Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations 2022. Post fluoridation this will continue to be the case. We will not be (and neither is there a requirement) providing non fluoridated water to our community in these two areas.

Please see the Ministry of Health’s website for information including the comprehensive review for and against the efficacy and safety of fluoridation of public water that concluded there is no significant health risks. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/fluoride-and-oral-health/community-water-fluoride-safe-effective-and-affordable

Funding for fluoridation of the Athenree and Wharawhara water supplies is provided by the Ministry of Health.

The cost of introducing fluoride to the Athenree supply would be $923,962 with the ongoing management and monitoring estimated to be $55,148 per annum.

For the Wharawhara supply the setup cost would be $938,587 with ongoing costs estimated at $55,193 each year.

Council’s current Long Term Plan does not include funding to fluoridate Te Puke or other water supplies. Council has been directed by the Ministry of Health to fluoridate the treated water from two of its water treatment plants at Athenree and Wharawhara (Katikati) by July 2025.

Ministry of Health have also requested further information on Council’s other six water treatment plants (there are eight across the District in total). At this stage no directive has been received to fluoridate any of Councils other water supplies.

To include fluoridation across the District would require substantial investment and would be a long-term project to complete.