Cost of Unfluoridated Water Supply

Response

Sent: Friday, 1 August 2025 11:55 am
Subject: Official Information Request - Cost of Unfluoridated Water Supply

I refer to your Official Information request of 27 March 2025 for information regarding the cost for unfluoridated water supply.

Question:

Has the council determined how it will decide whether to extend the availability of fluoridated water yet? If so what is the cost/benefit ratio/method for deciding?

Answer:

Councils’ approval was to install two non-fluoridated supply points in the urban areas at the same time that fluoride was added to the water supply systems in accordance with the Director-General of Healths direction. There has been no direction from Council to actively consider whether the current service should continue or cease, or if additional non-fluoridated supply points should be provided. Any consideration of such would likely be driven by public requests or elected members consideration of data reported to them in regular operational reports. However, any additional unfluoridated water provisions must not dilute the benefit sought by the Ministry of Health through fluoridation. .

Question:

Can you also please advise how much water has been taken from these sources by providing the monitoring reports?

Answer:

*Council is awaiting a power supply to enable installation of a pump and meter at this site, so use will continue to be estimated from the deliveries made to the tank till then.