A pipeline from Oamaru to Herbert, Hampden and Moeraki to upgrade water supplies may be selected by the Waitaki District Council, despite the communities working on an alternative and planning a public meeting to discuss options.
The council has been trying since June last year to make a decision on the best way to upgrade the Hampden-Moeraki and Herbert-Waianakarua to drinking water standards and made the pipeline decision by December.
But that was delayed at the request of the two water schemes' committees to allow alternative options to be investigated, more information to be obtained from the Ministry of Health and a public meeting to be held.
However, the council at its meeting on Wednesday will consider a recommendation it go ahead with a pipeline about 40km long, from the Oamaru water treatment station as far south as Moeraki, to replace existing supply sources.
Water and wastewater assets engineer Oscar Smit said the pipeline option meant water would be available to the communities during flooding and droughts and there was extra capacity to grow their economies.
''A decision ... has been put on hold by council for nearly four months.
"Council needs to consider whether it delays a decision further while the [water scheme] committees continue its work and holds its public meeting,'' Mr Smit said.
Delays were costing both supplies more money.
It was recommended the council make a decision on Wednesday so the project could be progressed.
A survey of the communities in October showed 65% of respondents wanted the pipeline to Oamaru.
The next most popular option, at 14%, was treating the existing river intakes.
In January, a public meeting in Hampden asked for further information and requested the council to work with the two water committees to resolve outstanding issues and questions, including looking at other alternatives.
Staff would continue to work with the communities and assess other options put forward.
If there was a better option, the project could be changed in its early stages.
A loan to upgrade the schemes would be paid for by their consumers, rather than shared by Oamaru consumers, an option which would have increased their rates by $20 a year.
Connecting to Oamaru would cost about $4.9 million, according to earlier estimates, not the cheapest option but the best in terms of ensuring enough water for the future while providing cost-effective treatment.
At present, the Hampden-Moeraki urban rate is $301 a year and rural rate $379, which could increase to $523 and $659 respectively after upgrading.
The Herbert-Waianakarua rate is $289, but could rise to $659.
