Fluoridation
What water supplies will be fluoridated?
Rotorua Central (serving 42,500 residents) and Rotorua East, including the Lake Ōkāreka community, (population 10,330). Click here to view the Central and Eastern Water Supply Areas (PDF 811KB)
Will further directions to fluoridate other supply areas be issued?
Rotorua has eight supply areas; Ngongotahā, Hamurana/Kaharoa, Reporoa, Mamaku, Rotoiti, Rotomā, Rotorua East and Rotorua central. Rotorua East and Rotorua Central will be fluoridated by 28 March 2025, as required by the Ministry’s direction, and the remaining supply areas are under consideration by the Director-General.
Why has Rotorua Lakes Council not consulted with the community?
The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 amended the Health Act 1956 to enable the Director-General of Health to direct local authorities to fluoridate drinking water supplies. A local authority that receives a direction to fluoridate is not required to consult on any matter related to the directive.
Can Rotorua opt out?
No. When a local authority receives a directive it must comply. Non-compliance is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of $200,000 and up to $10,000 per day for continuing offences.
Rotorua Lakes Council officers have undertaken due diligence through enquiries to competent legal and health agencies to ensure Council and elected members have access to appropriate advice on potential legal liabilities. Council will be acting within its legal responsibilities in adopting the implementation of the fluoridation directive.
Rotorua Lakes Council was one of 14 local authorities directed to fluoridate water supplies in July 2022.
How will it be monitored?
Council’s infrastructure group and contractors will monitor and maintain the dosing system, along with UV and chlorine disinfection, filtration and pumping systems that are already managed now, in accordance with the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules and Drinking Water Standards.
What is the cost of this?
The cost to upgrade the two treatment plants is about $3m which is being funded through the Government’s $11.3m funding pool for capital projects associated with the directive. Had council not taken up this funding, the cost would have fallen on ratepayers.
Ongoing operational costs for monitoring and fluoridation of the two supplies council has been directed to fluoridate is estimated to be $160,000 per year which will be funded through council’s annual renewal and maintenance budgets.
For further information on community water fluoridation visit Ministry of Health website (health.govt.nz).
