News story

28th August 2003

Local People Split Over Water Fluoridation

Northavon MP Steve Webb has discovered that local opinion is sharply divided on Government proposals to allow the possible fluoridation of local water supplies. In advance of a Parliamentary debate on the subject in September, Steve Webb consulted hundreds of local people to see what they thought. The proposal by the Government is that health authorities should be able to require water companies to fluoridate the local water supply, provided that a majority of local people indicated that this was what they wanted. The Northavon MP received hundreds of replies to his consultation by means of e-mail and text message, as well as more traditional letters to his office. The outcome was very close, with 222 residents wanting the change and 237 opposing it.

Those who wanted to see fluoridation said that if it was the will of the majority it should go ahead. They felt it would improve dental health and they did not generally believe that there were any harmful side-effects.

Opponents of fluoridation said it took away people’s choice. At present, those who want fluoride can get it through fluoride toothpastes or tablets. Once fluoride was added to the water, people who didn’t want it could not opt out, short of drinking only bottled water. There was also real mistrust of Government assurances about the safety of “chemicals” being added to the water supply. It was also pointed out that most other
European countries have either never added fluoride to their water supply or have given up doing so because of doubts over the safety and effectiveness of doing so.

Steve Webb said:

“This consultation exercise has shown that local people are sharply divided on whether they want the water supply to be fluoridated. Some very persuasive arguments were made on both sides, and ultimately my job is to make a decision based on the views of local people and on the evidence that is presented to me.

"On a point of principle, I am wary of imposing something on people that they may not want, and once you fluoridate the water supply, people who are opposed are left without any option. The burden of proof must be on the Government to prove that it is safe, if it wants to add chemicals to our water supply. They have not so far done this to my satisfaction”.

To find out more about the consultation process, click here.

To read my contribution to the Water Bill debate, click here.