Voters support fluoride in water

When the dust settled on election day Ethan Clark was happy to know fluoride could soon be back in his drinking water.

Last Saturday Hamilton residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of returning fluoride to the city’s water supply.

“I’m pleased common sense prevailed and the  vote went in favour of returning fluoride,” Hillcrest resident Clark said.

A conclusive non-binding referendum showed 70 per cent of those who voted supported a return to the fluoridation of Hamilton’s drinking water, and the newly appointed council look likely to put it into action at their first meeting in November.

“They would be silly not to follow through with it now after voters so clearly showed they were in favour.”

Discussion around the issue, which was ever present throughout the election, was in Clark’s opinion somewhat of a waste of time, given that it seemed clear most Hamiltonians supported fluoride all along.

“There were probably some much bigger issues which were not covered in the detail they deserved to be, simply because fluoride took centre stage.

“I know I would much rather have heard more about plans for the city’s recreational parks and playgrounds, but this was hardly touched on.”

The result will come as a relief to the Waikato District Health Board who spent $47,000 on its pro-fluoride campaign.

There are still options for those who are opposed to fluoride, and currently the council are looking at the cost of installing an un-fluoridated supply, something which Clark is supportive of.

“I understand where people are coming from when they say they don’t want it in their water, so if possible there should be the option for them to have un-fluoridated water.

“But I would hope that wouldn’t come at a cost to the ratepayers, as for a majority of them it would be useless.”