Dunedin City Council staff have recommended an underground water pipe in Outram be replaced soon to stop potentially dangerous pressure fluctuations.
In February, staff tested water pressure across the village's reticulated system after reports a child having a shower was scalded when a water hydrant in the street was opened and cold water was suddenly drawn away from the shower.
Mosgiel Taieri Community Board members also had concerns there might be insufficient water available in the village for firefighting during periods of high water demand.
Pressure monitoring carried out in four locations between February 26 and March 1 showed water pressures were generally low but at an acceptable level, water department programme analyst Madelaine Wiese says in a report to today's infrastructure services committee meeting.
Three short-term low-pressure events were recorded during the monitoring.
One lasted six minutes, another four and a-half minutes, and the third about six seconds.
It was estimated between 2000 and 6000 litres of water may have been drawn off during each event, possibly to fill farm tanks or mobile water tankers.
The sudden drop in pressure was a concern, the report says.
"Householders would experience sudden reductions in cold water supply, affecting showers and other appliances relying on a constant water pressure. This is a safety risk, as shower temperatures could increase suddenly."
Monitoring indicated particular pressure losses over a 240m-long section of pipe on parts of Mountfort and Holyhead Sts.
Ms Wiese recommended the 125mm pipe be replaced with a 150mm one.
The cost would be between $80,000 and $130,000 and could be completed in the 2011-12 financial year within existing budgets, she said.
She recommended a further $100,000 be spent on a strategic plan for the town's water supply to ensure present and future service levels and demands were met.
No money had been included in the budget for such a plan, she said.
