Water regulator Taumata Arowai this week confirmed, in the wake of the Cryptosporidium outbreak in Queenstown, it would be sending letters to councils that did not have treatment for protozoa outlining "our expectations and regulatory approach".
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said the council had a strong focus on upgrading its water supplies since the early 2000s when the Oamaru supply was upgraded.
Since then, there had been significant investment to bring most of its supplies up to the required standards, even though it had been the main contributor to an increase in council’s debt levels.
But that was the cost of being proactive in keeping people as safe as possible.
"As the saying goes, ‘how much is a human life worth?’."
A council spokesperson said considering the Queenstown events, it would not be unexpected for Taumata Arowai to issue compliance orders to other territorial authorities, requiring non-upgraded supplies to have a boil water notice until appropriate treatment barriers were in place.
That would not affect the vast majority of customers on Waitaki water supplies, 91% of whom received water at low risk of Cryptosporidium (and other protozoa) contamination.
Of the eight supplies yet to be upgraded, assessments for upgrades had been completed for three: Stoneburn, Bushy Creek and Lake Ohau Alpine Village.
Findings of Stoneburn and Bushy Creek assessments would be discussed by council in due course.
The Queenstown outbreak, which began more than a week ago, led to a boil water notice for the township’s water supply.
Medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack said a source of infection was yet to be identified.
Public health officials would be visiting Queenstown businesses delivering specimen containers.
"We would like to make it as easy as possible for people to get tested for crypto if they have symptoms, even if they are mild."
People could collect their sample themselves and drop it off at the Queenstown Medical Centre between 8am and 8pm.
Getting tested would help with tracking the infection and potentially the discovery of the source.
Taumata Arowai head of regulatory Steve Taylor said if it could be satisfied the source was not drinking water, it would work with the Queenstown Lakes District Council to lift the boil water notice.
However, it was still unclear where the contamination had come from.
The urgency to install a protozoa barrier at the Two Mile water treatment plan remained either way.
"Until the outbreak source is confirmed, keep boiling your water."
