Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 16 February (HL14539), whether they will ensure that any new water regulations include a clear requirement for water companies to support, maintain and, where appropriate, expand fluoridation schemes in their areas.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The maintenance and expansion of water fluoridation schemes are set out in the Water Industry Act 1991 and associated regulations. These provide the requirements that apply to water companies where my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, proposes to enter, vary, or terminate arrangements for fluoridation of water.

There are no current plans to change these requirements through new regulations. However, the White Paper A New Vision for Water published in January 2026 confirms that, as long term reforms to the water industry are delivered, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to support delivery of 10-Year Health Plan, which includes assessing further expansion of water fluoridation where oral health outcomes are poorest.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 16 February (HL14539), whether water companies are required to make an active contribution to the protection and improvement of public health.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Water companies have statutory and regulatory duties to protect and improve public health and actively take steps to meet them. These include completion of risk assessments and the sampling of drinking water supplies that may cause the supply not to be wholesome. “Wholesomeness” is defined in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 as water which does not contain any microorganism, parasite, or substance at a concentration or value which would constitute a potential danger to public health.

Where a water company is also legally required to add fluoride to water supplies to improve public health, it must do so in a way that complies with the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Code of Practice on Technical Aspects of Fluoridation of Water Supplies 2021.

Protecting and improving public health is also a priority in the Government’s planned reforms for the water sector. A new taskforce, led by the Chief Medical Officer for England, will support the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, providing independent and technical advice on public health risks from water and opportunities to improve water treatment and protection.