A decision on the future management of Dunedin's water and wastewater assets will not be known until next February, following a request by Dunedin City Council staff for more time to complete an economic analysis.
The issue came to light in July, after a leak to the Otago Daily Times that major changes were in store.
In August, the finance and strategy committee voted for a detailed analysis of three options: the status quo, with water and wastewater managed by council staff, or either a council-controlled company or council-controlled trading organisation to run the service.
Councillors also asked for clarification on implications for staff, potential cost savings and the possibility of water metering.
At a committee meeting this week, a report from water and waste manager John Mackie said while work had been done on the issue, "much of the detailed cost modelling and economic analysis has yet to be completed".
Consultants would be hired to do the work, with a report on the results to go back to the committee in February.
Mr Mackie said after the meeting the cost modelling would look at issues such as the effect on other council departments.
Water and waste used, and paid, other departments to do work such as information technology and administration, and any change would affect them.
The economic analysis would look at long-term benefits.
The committee voted to agree to the time extension.
