Wellington’s drinking water fluoridation facilities in need of repair
Published on 17 March 2022
MESSAGE FROM WELLINGTON WATER
Wellington Water is working quickly to repair equipment that fluoridates the regional drinking water supply, which a recent review found has not been delivering fluoridated water to specification.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council Fluoride Facilities Review was commissioned by Wellington Water and received in February 2022 confirming Wellington Water’s analysis of the failing performance of the decades-old fluoridation system.
Wellington Water operates the water treatment plants on behalf of Greater Wellington and delivers the bulk drinking water supply to Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington cities.
“Our fluoridation machinery is over 30 years old and no longer meets acceptable performance standards,” says Greater Wellington Regional Council Chief Executive Nigel Corry. “The outcome of which is a low and inconsistent level of fluoridation in our water but it’s also an opportunity to invest in an upgraded system.
“The review also identified some operational health and safety risks at the Te Marua and Gear Island Water Treatment plants. Because of this, Wellington Water made the decision last month to turn off the fluoride facilities at Te Marua and Gear Island Water Treatment plants while they work on reinstating service.
“This means that Upper Hutt, Porirua, Wellington City, Stokes Valley and Manor Park have not been receiving fluoridated water since last month, but we’ll resume it as soon as we can.”
Wellington Water's other fluoride facilities, based at the Waterloo and Wainuiomata water treatment plants, remain operating.
Wellington Water Director of Regulatory Services Charles Barker emphasised the duty of care water suppliers have to their customers.
“It is important that we supply safe and healthy drinking water to our communities.
“Greater Wellington Regional Council has tasked us, on behalf of the metropolitan Wellington councils, to operate and maintain our Water Treatment Plants.
“This includes adding fluoride to the water supply as recommended by many national and international health bodies, including the World Health Organisation.
“We are working on ways to return fluoride to the water supply at our Te Marua and Gear Island Water Treatment Plants. We are also working on ensuring that we are able to consistently fluoridate the drinking water at all our water treatment plants in a way that provides the expected health benefit.
“Our review has provided a number of recommendations, which we are working to implement, and Greater Wellington Regional Council has funded us to carry out this work as a priority,” says Barker.
It is expected that it will take 6-9 months to repair the equipment at the Te Marua Water Treatment Plant. This will return fluoride to Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington City.
Wellington Water is still evaluating what is required at Gear Island Water Treatment Plant.
Q&A
Why have the fluoride dosing systems at Te Marua and Gear Island Water Treatment plants been stopped?
The age of the fluoride dosing plants in all four of the Water Treatment Plants is approaching 30 years and the dosing facilities have become increasingly inconsistent in their ability to dose correctly.
Due to the increasing plant unreliability, Wellington Water commissioned a review, received in February 2022, that confirmed the fluoride facilities are not operating as they should.
The review also identified operational health and safety risks at the Te Marua and Gear Island Water Treatment plants. Because of this, we made the difficult decision last month to turn off the fluoride facilities at Te Marua and Gear Island Water Treatment plants while we work on a solution.
This means that Upper Hutt, Porirua, Wellington City as well as Stokes Valley and Manor Park in Lower Hutt are no longer receiving fluorinated water.
Wellington Water's other fluoride facilities, based at Waterloo and Wainuiomata, remain operating, which means Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and Eastbourne are still receiving some levels of fluoride in their water.
Is this a new issue, and if not, how long has Wellington Water known?
The fluoride dosing facilities at the water treatment plants have been operating inconsistently for around four years.
Due to the health risks posed by high levels of fluoride dosing our operators have been conservative with dosage. This ensures that the upper level is not exceeded but has generated periods where dosage has fallen below the effective range.
Why didn't you deal with it sooner?
We have been monitoring and nursing the fluoride facilities at our treatment plant for a number of years now but more recently, the issues with the facilities have become too onerous.
We understand that this situation is not ideal, which is why in February 2022 we commissioned a review to confirm that the fluoride facilities have not been operating as they should and to provide us with recommendation on the best way to consistently fluoridate the drinking water at all our water treatment plants in a way that provides the expected health benefit.
We are working on implementing these recommendations now and Greater Wellington Regional Council has funded us to carry out this work as a priority.
What issues are you facing with fluoride facilities at your other water treatment plants?
The age of the fluoride dosing plants in all four of the Water Treatment Plants is approaching 30 years and the dosing facilities have become increasingly inconsistent in their ability to dose correctly.
When were you last fluoridating the drinking water at the right levels?
We are still working on collating the long-term data but we do know that our fluoride facilities have been operating inconsistently for around four years.
Why have you decided to only turn off fluoride for certain suburbs/areas?
Each water treatment plant services different areas of metropolitan Wellington.
This means that the supply of fluoride depends on which plant you receive your water from.
As we have decommissioned the fluoride facilities at the Te Marua and Gear Island water treatment plants; Upper Hutt, Porirua, Wellington City as well as Stokes Valley and Manor Park in Lower Hutt are not receiving fluoridated water.
As of early March, both Waterloo and Wainuiomata are fluoride dosing, meaning that Lower Hutt (except for Petone and Korokoro) Eastbourne and Wainuiomata are currently receiving the recommended amount for protection against tooth decay.
Are the other suburbs that are still getting fluoride getting the right levels?
Our last report for the last month shows that the Waterloo Water Treatment Plant was supplying 0.8mg/l of fluoride. The Wainuiomata Water Treatment Plant was supplying 0.79mg/l of fluoride.
This means that Lower Hutt (except for Petone and Korokoro) Eastbourne and Wainuiomata are currently receiving the recommended amount for protection against tooth decay.
Is my suburb getting fluoride in their water currently?
* Please note, the Petone and KoroKoro areas also do not receive fluoridated water, due to a separate council agreement.
What areas are you dosing correctly?
As of early March, both Waterloo and Wainuiomata are fluoride dosing, meaning that Lower Hutt (except for Petone and Korokoro) Eastbourne and Wainuiomata are currently receiving the recommended amount for protection against tooth decay.
Why have you not been dosing correctly?
The age of the fluoride dosing plants in all four of the Water Treatment Plants is approaching 30 years and the dosing facilities have become increasingly inconsistent in their ability to dose correctly.
Due to the health risks posed by high levels of fluoride dosing our operators have been conservative with dosage. This ensures that the upper level is not exceeded but has generated periods where dosage has fallen below the effective range.
What advice are you giving to parents whose children have not been getting the right levels of fluoride in their water?
It’s not appropriate for Wellington Water to be providing health advice.
Regional Public Health have advised brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (spit don't rinse after brushing to get maximum benefit for teeth) and to avoid drinking any sugary drinks. Tap water is still the best drink for thirst.
If parents or caregivers are concerned about their children’s teeth, they can contact their child’s dental provider or Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service (Wellington region’s child oral health service) on 0800 talk teeth (0800 825 583).
Bee Healthy apply fluoride varnish at least once a year to most children’s teeth. If considered necessary, our service can supplement this on a case-by-case basis.
We encourage people to talk to their dentist or oral health professional for advice about other fluoride products they may wish to use while the drinking water supply is temporarily not fluoridated.
Has the removal of fluoride had any dental health ramifications?
It’s not appropriate for Wellington Water to be providing health advice but we do recommend that anyone who is concerned to either contact their dentist or check out:
• https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/teeth-and-gums/caring-baby-teeth
• https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/teeth-and-gums/fluoride
How much will it cost to repair the plants?
The cost of this work is within the renewals budget of GWRC and is currently being priced by our contractors
Why does Greater Wellington have to pay for the upgrade?
Greater Wellington Regional Council own the Wellington metropolitan water treatment plants and task us on behalf of other councils, to operate and maintain these facilities.
How long will it take to repair the plants?
We are estimating that it will take 6-9 months to repair the equipment at the Te Marua Water Treatment Plant. This will return fluoride to Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington City.
We are still evaluating what is required at Gear Island Water Treatment Plant.
Why are you fluoridating the drinking water?
In November 2021, the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill passed through the Health Committee in Parliament.
This means that water suppliers are now required to fluoridate a water supply if directed to do so by the Director-General of Health. Those already fluoridating the water supply will be required to continue.
Our metropolitan Wellington Water Treatment Plants already have fluoridation facilities, but they are aging and are not very reliable.
The introduction of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill has placed more emphasis on the consistent operation of these fluoride dosing facilities.
What is water fluoridation?
Fluoride already exists in water. Water fluoridation is when the natural level of fluoride in the water supply is topped up to between 0.7 ppm and 1.0 ppm. This is the ideal amount for giving protection against tooth decay. This is recommended by many national and international health bodies, including the World Health Organisation.
The Ministry of Health recommends water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent and reduce tooth decay for everyone. The levels of fluoride in water are carefully monitored.
Is fluoride in water safe?
The role of fluoride in water has been examined around the world – including in New Zealand – over the last 60 years. There is strong evidence that there are no adverse effects of any significance from fluoridation at the levels used in New Zealand, and that it is beneficial to New Zealanders of all ages. This is especially true for our most vulnerable communities.
Is it effective?
Fluoride in water neutralises the effect of acids that cause decay on teeth and helps to repair damage before it becomes permanent.
The most recent New Zealand Oral Health Survey (2009) shows that children and adolescents have 40 percent less tooth decay over their lifetime if they live in areas with fluoridated water.
The government estimates that introducing community water fluoridation to all public drinking water supplies would result in net savings of more than $600 million over 20 years - mostly to consumers, and some to government?
Why isn’t fluoride added to the Petone/Korokoro water supply?
There was a consultation in Petone in 1999 which resulted in 70% of those polled (30% of households) saying they did not want fluoridation.
What is the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill?
The new legislation allows the Director-General of Health to make decisions about fluoridating public water supplies.
It requires the Director-General of Health to consider the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of fluoridation in reducing dental decay, and whether the benefits outweigh the financial costs. They must consider the oral health status (or likely oral health status) of the local community, the size of the water supply and how much it’s likely to cost to introduce fluoridation.
The new legislation does not require local authorities to consult with their communities on decisions around fluoridating their water supplies.
Local authorities that are currently fluoridating drinking water supplies must continue to do so.
It is expected that implementation will be phased over time, from mid-2022.
In instances of non-compliance, the Director-General of Health may take action to hold local authorities to account.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM REGIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH
Dr Kathryn Fuge, Clinical Director – Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service, Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs
- With fluoride temporarily removed from water supplies in Porirua, Stokes Valley, Manor Park, Wellington City and Upper Hutt, we encourage our communities to be vigilant with oral health care at home. This includes brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (spit don't rinse after brushing to get maximum benefit for teeth) and avoid drinking any sugary drinks. Tap water is still the best drink for thirst. If parents or caregivers are concerned about their children’s teeth, they can contact their child’s dental provider or Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service (Wellington region’s child oral health service) on 0800 talk teeth (0800 825 583).
- Bee Healthy apply fluoride varnish at least once a year to most children’s teeth. If considered necessary, our service can supplement this on a case-by-case basis.
- We encourage people to talk to their dentist or oral health professional for advice about other fluoride products they may wish to use while the drinking water supply is temporarily not fluoridated.
Dr Stephen Palmer, Medical Officer of Health, Regional Public Health
- Community water fluoridation is a very effective public health measure to reduce tooth decay. This is further supported by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention which lauded community water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Fluoridating water delivers health equity outcomes for all regardless of age, ethnicity, education or employment status. This cost effective public health measure helps to ensure that no community has to carry an excessive burden of being impacted by poor oral health. We support Wellington Water to repair the fluoridation facilities, so that fluoridated drinking water can once again be safely provided to our communities.