TENTERFIELD’S struggle over fluoridation of its water supply will end on Monday.
From July 16 onwards, the residents connected to the Tenterfield, Urbenville, Woodenbong and Mulli Mulli water supplies will be drinking flouridated water.
Tenterfield Shire Council will begin adding fluoride to the level recommended by the NSW Health Department from that date.
Fluoridation of the town water supplies has been hotly debated since the first referendum on the subject in 1962.
Another followed in 1980, and a third in 2005. Each returned an overwhelming “no” vote.
Council was directed by the Health Department to fluoridate the water supplies in 2005, with the introduction to take place no later than November 2006.
Despite an extension granted until only July 2008, Tenterfield Shire water has remained unfluoridated until now.
Following a letter from Minister for Healthy Lifestyles Kevin Humphries in November last year “strongly urging” council to go ahead, at its last meeting, council voted to switch the fluoridation pump on as soon as possible.