Thursday 5 February 2009

West Otago Community Board recommends for fluoridation

At its most recent meeting on Wednesday 28 January 2009, the West Otago Community Board made a recommendation that the Clutha District Council apply to the Ministry of Health for 100% subsidy funding for the capital costs of installing fluoridation equipment at the Tapanui Water Treatment Plant.

A referendum held in conjunction with the 2007 local body elections indicated that more than half of voters in the West Otago ward approved of fluoridating the Tapanui water supply.

Council can seek a 100% subsidy from the Ministry of Health for the capital cost of fluoridating Tapanui’s water, although the operating costs of fluoridation would add about $17 a year to the Tapanui water rate.

Council will now consider the Community Board’s recommendation at its next meeting on 12 February.