With reference to recent correspondence on the issue of adding fluoride to water supplies (Letters, August 28) I should make clear that Southern Water is not in a position to offer medical or ethical views on the subject.

We do not currently add fluoride to any of our supplies and do not have the expertise to judge the effects on dental health should this situation have to change.

The decision on whether or not to dose water supplies with fluoride belongs to the local health authority.

Southern Water's role in this would be to offer expertise and technical information about our water treatment processes and distribution systems.

Our overall job is to provide cost-effective water supplies of the highest quality. We therefore remain cautious about any addition of fluoride.

To that end we, along with other water companies, would seek an indemnity from the Government should we have to dose supplies with fluoride.

Very simply, this is because we would be carrying out a process which extends beyond our responsibilities under current legislation.

However, we do not expect the indemnity to cover any failure on our part to perform the process properly.

Throughout the debate we will remain very mindful of the views of our customers and would urge any of them who have an opinion to covey it to their local health authority.

-Geoff Loader, media manager, Southern Water, Yeoman Road, Worthing