Council is progressing plans to extend its drinking water network in north-east Ashburton.

A recommendation last week from the Three Waters Committee to extend the network on Seafield Road, Southpark Road and Keenans Road will now go to Council for consideration at a future meeting.

The committee heard that 21 properties had been consulted about the extension and 14 had responded. Of those 14, 10 supported the proposed extension.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said the estimated cost of the extension was $487,000.

“Council already has a watermain on Company Road and this work would involve extending the watermain along Seafield Road to Keenans Road and along that road, past the Celtic rugby grounds, to Company Road.”

Connecting properties would be required to pay a one-off part-construction cost and an Ashburton water supply development contribution.

Council would recoup the construction costs over time as properties in the newly-serviced area connected.

Mr McCann said the initial up-front cost for those wanting to connect was about $12,500.

Council is also investigating an extension of the Ashburton wastewater network into the north-east and a report on that work will be provided to the Three Waters Committee later this year.