Fluoride will be added to Whangārei’s drinking water from Wednesday morning, subject to the outcome of a High Court hearing in Wellington on Tuesday. .
Whangārei District Council (WDC) this afternoon voted almost unanimously to back off its months-long and highly-vocal refusal to fluoridate its drinking water by March 28, as ordered by the director-general of health.
The council had risked potential legal charges, up to $200,000 in fines, $10,000 a day for failing to comply and more.
Councillor Patrick Holmes said that equated to a 3.8% general rates rise to cover the close to $5 million in extra unbudgeted fluoridation refusal costs.