SUNRAYSIA’S fluoridation start-date has been pushed back a few months.

While it was anticipated fluoride would be added to Sunraysia’s drinking water by the end of the year, Lower Murray Water will roll-out the fluoridation in March or April next year.

Owen Russell, Lower Murray Water customer service manager, said construction of the plants were now being prioritised.

“We aim to have them operational in March or April next year and from then on it (fluoride) will be added to the water,” he said.

“We did initially think it would be done by the end of this year, but we have been advised it will take a little longer.

“We’ve started planning with consultants and people will start to see some activity before Christmas.”

The State Government announced fluoride would be added to Sunraysia’s water supplies in October last year, causing an uproar from anti-fluoride groups.

Lower Murray Water will roll the fluoridation of water supplies in Mildura, Irymple, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Swan Hill and Kerang in to one project.

The water authority has give plants to treat – one a Swan Hill, one a Kerang, one at Red Cliffs and two in Mildura.

The fluoride will enter the region’s water supply through the injection of a fluoride solution.

The water will not taste any different.

The Mildura fluoridation is expected to cost between $1.5 and $2, to be paid for by the State Government.

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