LYTTELTON’S WATER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 14

LYTTELTON’S WATER

Fluoridation Proposed

Lyttelton's water supply was deficient in fluoride, which was essential for the growth of healthy teeth and bones, the health and sanitation committee reported to the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening, when recommending that the borough engineer be instructed to prepare sketch plans and to estimate costs for fluoridating the supply. The report was adopted. Lyttelton water contained .15 parts per million fluoride. The deficiency could be corrected by increasing the fluoride content to 1 p.p.m. and this would be achieved by adding an amount equal to about a level teaspoon of sodium fluoride to every 450 gallons of water. This would present no technical problems. The Christchurch medical officer of health, the senior engineer of the public health engineering section of the Ministry of Works and the local engineer of the ministry had inspected the waterworks.

Reports from other areas suggested that it would be reasonable to expect that fluoridation would make for a 75 per cent, reduction in dental caries for children and a decreased liability to bone softening and fracture in older people, the report said. Part of the Heathcote County Council’s water supplied by Lyttelton could also be included in the scheme if the people wished. It would be difficult to assess the cost of the scheme without going into details and the report recommended that the council should approach the Heathcote County Council about the matter.