Consumers on two Waitaki water schemes fear upgrading the schemes to higher drinking water standard will be too expensive for them, and want the Waitaki District Council to consider applying for an exemption.
The Hampden-Moeraki and Herbert-Waianakarua schemes provide drinking water to about 1400 consumers and for stock.
Three options to upgrade them have been estimated at between $2.4 million and $5.5 million.
Yesterday the chairmen of the two water schemes warned the council's assets committee their communities were ''gravely concerned'' about the cost which they considered was ''absolutely significant and far too much''.
Hampden-Moeraki scheme chairman Phillip Nicolson said the two committees and the communities believed there were grounds for applying to the Ministry of Health for an exemption.
They had asked a solicitor to research an exemption.
Only three options had been proposed, but there were others such as treatment at the point of use using ultraviolet and filtration, which cost about $900, not including installation or ongoing maintenance, Mr Nicolson said.
Herbert-Waianakarua chairman Ian Caldwell was sure there were other options ''far, far cheaper'' which would still meet the standards.
The two men said the council should not commit to options until the possibility of an exemption had been explored and other options looked at.
Assets group manager Neil Jorgensen said the ministry, through Public Health South, had confirmed the schemes needed to be upgraded and an application for exemption was ''likely to be declined'' because it would not meet criteria.
However, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said if the community wanted to seek an exemption, the council would have to go through that process.
Cr Kathy Dennison told the assets committee no commitment to options should be made until the request of the two communities had been explored.
The committee has recommended the council initiate a works programme (without identifying any options) to upgrade the supplies, prepare a letter and survey for consumers on the two schemes and hold a public meeting to provide additional information and answer questions. The committee will consider the results on October 15.
The three options and costs are (excluding GST): Connecting to Oamaru water treatment plant, $4.9 million (preferred option).
Using Papakaio aquifer deep groundwater, $2.4 million.
Using surface water with single or twin treatment plants: $4.9 million to $5.5 million.
