Thames voters opt to continue fluoridation of town water supply

The voters of the Thames water supply area of service have decided that fluoridation of the town water supply should continue.

With all votes counted after the close of referendum at noon today, 2,151 votes (73%) were to continue fluoridation, 795 (27%) votes were to stop fluoridation.

Of the 5,218 registered eligible voters, 56.5%, or 2,947 people, cast a vote. One blank vote was returned.

The outcome of this referendum is binding on our Council, and accordingly fluoridation of the Thames water supply will continue.

Council will ratify the referendum result at its next meeting, on 9 December.

Thames is the only town in the Coromandel to add fluoride to its water supply. Our records indicate that when Thames' new water treatment plant was first operational in 1971, fluoride was added to the water supply then.

For more information on the background of the referendum go to our web page www.tcdc.govt.nz/fluoridereferendum

ENDS

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