Kerikeri and Kaitāia water fluoridation project enters construction phase

The Far North's fluoridation project enters construction phase.

Construction is now underway on the Far North’s water fluoridation programme, with work set to meet the Ministry of Health’s July 31 deadline.

The project will introduce fluoride dosing systems into the Kerikeri and Kaitāia town water supplies, with both sites tracking towards installation and commissioning over the coming months.

In July 2023, the Director-General of Health directed Far North District Council (FNDC) under section 116E of the Health Act to fluoridate drinking water for Kaitāia and Kerikeri.

Last year, the council announced that final designs were approved and full funding had been secured from Manatū Hauora.

Far North District Council is one of 14 local authorities directed to fluoridate water supplies. In accordance with the act, the council is required to ensure the Kerikeri and Kaitāia water supplies are fluoridated at optimal levels.

In a statement, the council said it is required by law to comply with the ministry’s directive.

“If the council doesn’t comply, it faces a fine of up to $100,000 per non-compliant site and $10,000 per day per site until compliance is achieved.”

The project to introduce fluoridation is split into two components. Package A covers the fluoridation equipment, with the ProSaT-5 unit, supplied by ProMinent New Zealand, selected as the Ministry of Health-approved solution. The system uses a powder-based dosing process designed to be safe for operators and straightforward to manage, supporting reliable day-to-day operation once installed.

Package B includes the civil construction, building works, pipe connections and electrical integration required to support the dosing system. This package has been directly awarded to contractor Bellcon, which is responsible for preparing each site so the ProSaT-5 units can be installed and connected.

“At Kerikeri, foundation work is currently underway, with the base course already laid and steel installation and boxing in progress,” the council said. “The building is scheduled to be delivered to site on May 18. In Kaitāia, work is pending the removal of the existing UV unit, after which the new building will be delivered and positioned, with this stage currently booked for May 29.”

Installation of the fluoride-dosing equipment is scheduled to begin on June 1 and is expected to take approximately one month.

A further one-month allowance has been built into the programme for commissioning, testing and resolving any early operational issues, ensuring the system is fully optimised before going live.