Consumers on four Corriedale water schemes will take greater control of their management and operation from July 1 next year, following the Waitaki District Council's approval of an agreement yesterday.
A memorandum of understanding will be developed between the council and the four rural schemes - Windsor, Tokarahi, Awamoko and Kauru Hill, which serve about 1150 consumers - to allow new entity Corriedale Water to take over the schemes for two years as a trial.
After that, a decision would be made whether to continue with Corriedale Water, return it to the council or transfer ownership to the community.
Scheme chairwoman Helen Brookes, of Awamoko, and chairman Garry McLeod, of Windsor, were at the meeting to outline the proposal.
While a draft agreement was put to the council yesterday, the next step would be to develop it further to define the division of responsibilities. The agreement will then be signed off.
The proposal has strong support from consumers in a survey run by the council, and
Federated Farmers North Otago, providing users were consulted. The Southern District Health Board, through Public Health South, opposed the transfer of operation and management. In particular, it was worried about quality of supply and meeting drinking water standards.
