South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann says it does not make sense to fluoridate the region’s water supplies.

The council will next week decide whether to discontinue the practice in five water schemes.

Wayne Kratzmann says council cannot afford to pay the $200,000 annual maintenance cost.

“Every dwelling that’s erected in the South Burnett in the towns, one of the first things you put in is your own water tanks, so we think we’re wasting money by putting it on,” he said.

“With the cuts that we’ve had both federally and from a State Government point of view, we’re really struggling to keep our budget in surplus and we’re going to look at … [it] next Wednesday and a decision will be made.”