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Fluoride consultation affecting water supplies in the North East and parts of Alston

The Government’s Department of Health and Social Care announced it is consulting on proposals to extend fluoride into water supplies received by customers across the North East of England, supplied by Northumbrian Water. This proposal would also affect the water supplies of some homes and businesses in parts of Alston in the North East of Cumbria, supplied by United Utilities.

This is not a water company consultation or decision. It is a Government proposal in line with its dentistry policy and its beliefs that fluoride in water supplies can deliver improvements in dental health. Any questions or queries about the proposal should be directed to waterfluoridationconsultation@dhsc.gov.uk. Further information can also be found here.

The consultation opened on 25 March 2024 and ran for 18 weeks before finishing 31 July 2024.

  • Since the closure of our treatment works in the local area, United Utilities customers in Alston and Nenthead (in the North East of Cumbria) have been supplied with water produced at a Northumbrian Water treatment works.

    We receive the water via a collection point on our pipe network and then distribute the water to homes and businesses. This supply arrangement has been in place since the closure of our treatment works around 20 years ago. Customers are still billed by United Utilities, or their billing retailer if a business, and receive a service from us.

    There is a legal duty to undertake a period of public consultation before introducing, varying or extending fluoridation to public water supplies. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is holding a period of consultation to gather opinions and provide feedback opportunities which will help to determine if fluoridation will be extended. As the proposed introduction would impact some of our customers, they are invited to take part in the consultation.

  • All communications and the associated consultation will be led by the Department of Health and Social Care. Further information which sets out the proposed scheme and the area affected is available by visiting the link below. 

    Find out more

  • The consultation is being led by the Department for Health & Social Care and is available online from Monday 25 March 2024. The deadline for responding has now been extended until 11.59pm on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

  • We no longer have an operating water treatment works to serve this area and customers receive their water supply from a Northumbrian Water treatment site. On completion of the consultation period the Government will make a decision if the areas receiving fluoride will be extended.

  • All queries should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Care by emailing waterfluoridationconsultation@dhsc.gov.uk.