Council is proposing an in-house, stand alone business unit to deliver its three water services in the future, and will discuss the matter at its meeting on Wednesday.

It plans to consult the community about its chosen service model as well as an alternative model, a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation.

Under Local Water Done Well reforms, council must have a Water Services Delivery Plan that is financially sustainable and will ensure infrastructure meets drinking water standards.

Group Manager of Democracy and Engagement Toni Durham said Council was ready to talk with the community about its proposed service model.

“The reforms are all about ensuring water services are delivered efficiently and to meet the needs of local communities, while considering things like population growth, environmental challenges and the condition of existing infrastructure.

“There is also more stringent water quality standards, environmental standards and pricing to protect public health.”

Council operates 10 community drinking water supplies across the district, servicing about 70 per cent of the population of 37,000. It also operates wastewater networks and treatment facilities, and a stormwater network in Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia.

Mrs Durham said Councillors on Wednesday would make a decision about confirming the proposal for public consultation.

“The community would then expect to see that consultation in their letterboxes and online around the end of March, and feedback will be open until 27 April.”

Council earlier discounted a partnership with EA Networks to deliver three waters services, saying it wanted to retain as much control and oversight of the future delivery model as possible.

A stand alone business unit would be 100 per cent council owned, reporting to elected councillors who would determine how water services were charged.

The full water services report is available as part of the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, and residents will be able to watch the meeting on council’s Facebook and YouTube channels.