The successful applications also mean relief for ratepayers who will not be lumbered with the entire cost of the upgrades at Tapanui, Lawrence, Balclutha and Kaitangata.
Lawrence ratepayers will be best off with the Ministry of Health's drinking water assistance programme providing 90% of the total estimated project cost of $835,000 plus GST.
The news is almost as good in Tapanui with the ministry providing $4599,964 or 80% of the estimated cost there of $750,000 plus GST.
In Kaitangata, the ministry will give $275,912 or 73%, while Balclutha gets a 25% helping hand, equating to $354,889 out of an estimated project cost of $1.4 million plus GST.
The money is to give councils technical and financial assistance to ensure their supplies meet new drinking water standards.
Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes said it was a great outcome for the communities affected and would go a long way towards helping those water supplies comply with the new regulations.
The level of funding available depended on several criteria.
Two communities - Balclutha and Tapanui - will receive equal or greater government help than asked for, while Lawrence and Kaitangata will get only slightly less than what was applied for.
"This is an excellent result and a credit to council's water service staff who prepared the applications and supporting documentation.
We also extend our thanks to the Ministry of Health for this funding, and for their support through the application process," Mr Hayes said.
Council staff would now start preparing to get all four projects under way, he said.
