More than half of Waimate residents who would be able to connect to the town's sewerage scheme if it was extended are not interested or not keen to pay for the privilege, a survey said.
The Waimate District Council has been investigating extending the town's sewerage scheme north along Timaru Rd, which could cost up to $2 million.
It wanted to do the first stage at a cost of almost $400,000.
But in the survey sent to 59 properties, which attracted 37 replies, only 20 respondents were willing to pay to extend the scheme.
There were 24 who were willing to join.
The survey showed 15 property owners were willing to connect to the scheme immediately, nine would join later on (two to five years) and 13 said they would not join.
Seven were willing to pay the $15,000 capital cost to join the scheme and nine offered to pay between $8000 and $10,000.
Four offered to pay no more than $2000.
The council's water-waste water engineer Suresh Unni said the majority of those not keen on joining the scheme said they were satisfied with their septic tank systems.
An updated engineering report from consultant Davie Lovell-Smith said the cost of extending the scheme could be recovered by a targeted rate applied to the area benefiting, along with the option of paying a lump sum.
The council could look at options for the lump sum.
For example, if the cost for each property was $15,000, the council could contribute $5000 leaving $10,000 to be paid by owners.
The property owner could pay by instalments or a lump sum.
The council will consider the results of the survey at its meeting on Tuesday before making any further decisions.
