Oamaru Water Supply fluoridation to recommence

The fluoridation of the Oamaru Water Supply will recommence on Thursday 23rd of January.

Fluoridation was paused in October after testing indicated an error in the dosing calculation, and the analyser which reported the fluoridation level in the water. However the fluoridation levels remained within the acceptable values for drinking water during this time.

Daily testing will be done in the network until fluoride is present in the supply.

From then, weekly testing of the supply will be undertaken both at the point of fluoridation and elsewhere on the network, to ensure that the water is fluoridated between 0.7 and 1.0 ppm, with the target level set at 0.8 ppm.

The Director-General of Health completed her Bill of Rights analysis relating to the directives to fluoridate in December 2024, and all cases brought before the High Court have confirmed that the directives are lawful.

All further enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Health.