NEWS RELEASE                                                                                        27 August 2002

CITY OF CAPE TOWN'S R13 MILLION WATER FLUORIDATION PROGRAMME WILL IMPROVE HEALTH OF THE POOR

The City of Cape Town has welcomed the compulsory fluoridation of water supplies as a major health benefit for poor communities.

"It is a scientific fact that fluoride in water helps to prevent dental caries," said the City's Executive Councillor for Trading Services, Councillor David Erleigh. "The lack of fluoride in the natural soils and surface waters of the Western Cape has been a concern for many years and controlled fluoridation can only improve the health of our poorer communities," he added.

While the fluoridation process will cost about R13 million to install and R6 million a year to operate, Councillor Erleigh believes this will be money well spent on community health.

The Bulk Water Department is engaging with government departments to ensure an acceptable implementation plan.

"Potential fluoride over-dosage of water supplies makes it imperative that there is strict monitoring of the dosing equipment settings, and frequent, accurate sampling must be carried out by well-motivated and qualified controllers," he said.

Both the SA Medical Association and the SA Dental Association have supported the compulsory introduction of fluoride in water.

Councillor Erleigh said that, according to current literature and research, the specified dosage of 0,7 milligrams of fluoride per litre of water was safe to use in the municipal water supply.

"This new measure is in line with our commitment to uplift and improve the quality of life of all our citizens," he said.

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