Dear Taumata Arowai–the Water Services Regulator,

I request the following official information under the Official Information Act 1982.
I understand that Taumata Arowai, as the water services regulator, monitors compliance with the Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations 2022, including for fluoride, and that any exceedance of the maximum acceptable value of 1.5 mg/L must be reported to Taumata Arowai.

I request:

1. The measured fluoride concentration data that Taumata Arowai holds for drinking water supplies to which fluoride is added (whether under a direction to fluoridate or otherwise), in the form in which Taumata Arowai already holds it — for example any compliance dataset, register, monitoring return or data export — for the period 1 January 2023 to the date of this request. I am happy to receive this as a spreadsheet or bulk data export rather than as individual reports.

2. All reports of fluoride exceedances (fluoride concentrations exceeding the 1.5 mg/L maximum acceptable value) made to Taumata Arowai for the same period, together with the concentration reported and the supply concerned.

3. Any document, guideline, dataset or monitoring record held by Taumata Arowai that records the monitoring of fluoride concentrations in fluoridated supplies against the optimal range for oral health of 0.7–1.0 mg/L, as distinct from monitoring against the 1.5 mg/L maximum acceptable value.

4. Any document held by Taumata Arowai recording the actual fluoride concentration delivered to consumers in fluoridated supplies, as distinct from the target or dosing concentration.

If any part of this request would, on its own, require substantial collation or research such that it might otherwise be refused under section 18(f), please contact me so that the request can be refined rather than refused, and please proceed in the meantime with the parts that can be readily met.

If any of the information requested is not held by Taumata Arowai, I would be grateful if you would confirm that under section 18(g)(i), and — where you are aware of it — advise which agency does hold it (for example the Ministry of Health or the relevant water supplier), or transfer the relevant part of this request under section 14 as appropriate.

I would prefer to receive the information by email in electronic form. I look forward to your response within 20 working days.

Thank you.

Alisha Riley