Consumers on four Corriedale water schemes may have a greater say in the management and operation of the supplies, if the Waitaki District Council gives approval on Tuesday.
The council will consider entering a memorandum of understanding which would transfer management and operation of the Awamoko, Kauru Hill, Tokarahi and Windsor schemes, serving about 1150 consumers, to a new entity called Corriedale Water.
That would start from July 1 next year and run for two years as a trial before a final decision is made on whether to transfer the schemes over for local ownership, continue with Corriedale Water managing the schemes or have them revert back to council control.
The concept of more local management through Corriedale Water already has overwhelming support among consumers who replied to questionnaires. Of 156 replies, 149 supported the proposal.
However, it was opposed by the Southern District Health Board, which was concerned about ensuring water was safe and whether consumers fully understood what was required.
Federated Farmers North Otago supported the proposal, providing consumers were fully consulted and agreed.
The proposal came from submissions by the four water schemes through the Corriedale Water Group as part of this year's annual plan, asking for greater management and control of the schemes.
The group put forward its views which resulted in an agreed proposal going out to consumers, people surrounding the schemes and stakeholders seeking their views.
That resulted in the proposal to be considered at Tuesday's meeting for Corriedale Water to manage and operate the four schemes with benefits of:
• Lower cost of water to consumers;
• cost-effective service in the provision of physical works and operation;
• improved efficiency for support, engineering and management;
• increased autonomy;
• more ''hands-on'' operation, management and control;
• a substantial reduction or elimination of council control;
• and consumer-focused operational management.
