CONSTRUCTION work on the $1.77 million water supply fluoridation plant at the Rosewood Reservoir site west of Wauchope began last week.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has appointed local contractor Garry Bannister Constructions Pty Ltd to carry out the civil and building works for this project.

A second contract for the Fluoridation Switchgear and Controlgear Assembly (FSCA) has been awarded to local company Mid Coast Telemetry and this contract will run concurrently with the civil works.

The final installation of the fluoridation plant and dosing equipment will be completed by Council.

The fluoridation of the water supply will then commence following inspection and commissioning approvals by NSW Health.

Based upon current scheduled works and subject to final approvals from NSW Health it is anticipated that the fluoridation of the Hastings Water Supply System will commence in April 2011.

Council is constructing the Rosewood Road Fluoridation Plant, near the Wauchope Water Treatment Plant, following a direction by the NSW Health to fluoridate the region’s reticulated water supply. Council has been granted $1.77 million in funding from NSW Health for the construction of the fluoridation facility.

To ensure the standard of the facility is in line with similar Council facilities in terms of operational health and safety and plant operation maintenance and reliability, Council has approved additional funding for duty/stand-by dosing pump arrangements and additional site and laboratory facilities.