Dannevirke fluoridation of water going ahead despite objections from residents and extended deadline

Tararua District Council (TDC) is proceeding with the installation and commissioning of a fluoridation plant in Dannevirke despite continued opposition from some community members.

A council spokesperson said the extended deadline instructed by the Director-General of Health on June 6 was on track for completion on September 30.

The directive to fluoridate Dannevirke’s drinking water has been a contentious issue, with differing community views being expressed to the council.

The directive to fluoridate remains in place. Not following this directive is an offence and will result in severe penalties, the council spokesperson said.

Tararua District Council decided to proceed with the design, final funding release, Ministry of Health approval, and installation of the fluoridation plant by the extended deadline.

“Authority to make decisions regarding fluoridation rests with the Director-General of Health, not the Tararua District Council,” the spokesperson said.

The directive to add fluoride to Dannevirke's drinking water has not been popular with all Tararua District residents. Photo / iStock

The council said this was reiterated recently in correspondence between the mayor and the ministry, where the council requested to delay the fluoridation until the legal certainty regarding the direction to fluoridate was finalised.

Group manager infrastructure Hamish Featonby acknowledged community members who felt the council should be making a “harder stand” against the directive.

“They think council can simply decide not to proceed whereas, in truth, if we do not comply with the direction, financial penalties will be levied against TDC until we comply.”

He was aware that not all were against the fluoridation of Dannevirke’s water supply and said the water was safe to drink.

“There are members of the community from all walks of life (including medical professionals) who are concerned at the overall dental health statistics in Dannevirke, who trust the scientific research and believe that fluoridation is necessary to address the dental health situation in Dannevirke.”

Despite community concern around the issue, the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Act, states: “If a local authority receives a direction to fluoridate its water supply, it is not required to consult with the community on any matter related to the direction”.

Dannevirke comes under the MidCentral District Health Board area and data in 2020 showed that for children aged up to 12 in the rohe, overall, 42 per cent of children had experienced tooth decay at age 5.

It was stated that it was reasonable to conclude that Dannevirke had significant levels of tooth decay.

Featonby encouraged those with an issue to address it with National’s Mike Butterick, the MP for the area.

“There are groups nationally and within the community set up specifically to question and challenge the decision to fluoridate water supplies.”

A council spokesperson said the council was committed to fulfilling its legal obligations by completing and commissioning the fluoridation plant.

“Currently, the directive only applies to the Dannevirke water supply, but the Director-General of Health is considering extending it to include the Woodville and Pahīatua water supplies.”

The council has received no further communications regarding other towns.

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay newsrooms. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and has a love for sharing stories about farming and rural communities.