On Monday, the council issued a public notice to inform residents to cease water consumption because of high nitrate levels.
Glenavy School principal Kate Mansfield told the Otago Daily Times the school was not informed directly and instead found out when a council worker mentioned it to her while at the school for a different matter.
When asked if this was true, council chief executive Stuart Duncan denied it.
"No, that is not true. Dan Mitchell, council’s asset group manager spoke to the chairperson for the Glenavy School Board, on Monday, December 2, informing him of the situation."
Mr Duncan cited a post on the school’s website and Facebook page later that day informing parents.
"This gave council the confidence they were appropriately informed."
The council had been "putting out messaging" through its website and social media channels as well as in the local newspaper.
Mr Duncan once again urged anyone with a water scheme to sign up to receive email and text alerts through the council’s website.
The council had continued to top up a water tank which was placed at the school in 2022 when nitrate levels made its water undrinkable.
Managing that created a whole new set of problems for school staff at an already busy time of the year, Mrs Mansfield said.
"It’s working, we’re making it happen, it’s what we’ve got to do, but it’s not ideal."
She was again frustrated that the water was once again undrinkable.
"I just don’t think it’s good enough that in New Zealand, in this day and age, we are unable to drink our water."
She thought it might be "an ongoing issue", because of the increase in dairy farms in the area and more stock on the land.
"It’s not going to disappear so there needs to be a solution."
Mr Duncan said the council was dealing with a "complex issue" but was busy working towards solving it.
"It is essential that everyone works together to identify and implement a permanent solution for a high standard of public and environmental health outcomes."
