NSW Health is concerned at the level of tooth decay detected in children in western NSW and in an attempt to combat this, is offering councils a full subsidy to install the infrastructure required to fluoridate town water supplies.

According to NSW Health, evidence is overwhelming that fluoridation of water is effective in dramatically reducing tooth decay.

However, fluoridation of water has its critics.

These critics suggest that fluoride harms bone structure and, being a poison except in minute quantities, is something that should be left out of town water supplies.

It should be noted however that chlorine, a disinfectant commonly used in town water supplies, is also a poison.

Fluoride occurs naturally in most water supplies, including all town supplies in the Walgett shire, but only Carinda has levels approaching that recommended by NSW Health as useful in combating tooth decay.

Walgett Shire Council is anxious to learn of community attitudes towards fluoridation before deciding whether or not to pursue the subsidy currently available from the NSW Health.

If you feel strongly either towards or against the introduction of fluoride into council's town water supplies, please write to council at PO Box 31, Walgett By February 21 and make your views known.

Council is concerned about the Lightning Ridge town water as it is so hot during the summer months after receiving complaints that there isn't any cool water

Allan Nelson said council was looking to alleviate this problem.