The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

Fluoridation of water supplies at request of DHSSPS

126.—(1) If requested in writing to do so by DHSSPS, a water undertaker shall enter into arrangements with DHSSPS to increase the fluoride content of the water supplied by that undertaker to premises within the area specified in the arrangements.

(2) But a water undertaker shall not be required by paragraph (1) to enter into any such arrangements until an indemnity with respect to the arrangements has been given by virtue of Article 133 to the water undertaker.

(3) The area specified in arrangements under this Article may be such area comprising the whole or any part of Northern Ireland as DHSSPS may determine.

(4) The arrangements shall be on such terms as may be agreed between DHSSPS and the water undertaker or, in the absence of agreement, determined in accordance with Article 128.

(5) Those terms shall include provision—

(a) requiring DHSSPS to meet the reasonable capital and operating costs incurred by the water undertaker in giving effect to the arrangements;

(b) specifying circumstances in which the requirement to increase the fluoride content may be temporarily suspended; and

(c) for the variation of the arrangements at the request of DHSSPS.

(6) DHSSPS shall consult the Authority in relation to the terms to be included in any arrangements under this Article (in particular, terms which affect the operation of the water undertaker’s supply system).

(7) Before carrying out the consultation required by paragraph (1) of Article 132 in relation to a step mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (2) of that Article, DHSSPS shall consult the water undertaker in question as to whether the arrangements which would result from taking that step would be operable and efficient (or, where it is proposed to terminate the arrangements, as to whether it would be reasonably practicable to do so).