Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said today's water inquiry recommendations will be helpful for "both Hastings and New Zealand".
"The recommendations for mandatory treatment and residual disinfection provide certainty for our community and all New Zealanders", she said.
"They have also placed emphasis on improving water regulations and the drinking water standards. New Zealanders should be able to rely on the Drinking Water Standards to ensure the water they drink is safe."
She said that in terms of progress with the Hastings and Havelock North water supply, the Council is doing a lot.
"We have listened to our community and we are focussed on providing a safe and resilient drinking water supply. We are spending $12 million on improvements this year, with a further $25 million plus forecast to be spent over the next four years. Initiatives to date include the UV plant for Brookvale 3 bore ($800,000) and the purchase of $1.5 million on pipes for the first new connection between Hastings and Havelock North. We have now employed eight new staff in the water team and we are implementing a complete review of our water services operation."
Chief executive Ross McLeod said Council was disappointed that it was not provided the opportunity to respond to comments made in the report about the Havelock and Hastings water supplies before the report was released.
He said there were a number of matters that council and its international experts could have clarified for the Inquiry.
For instance, UV treatment being designed and implemented across all of the District's water supplies, including Eastbourne Street.
"Good progress is being made to strengthen our water network and services and fully address the issues highlighted by Stage One of the Inquiry, released earlier this year," Mr McLeod said.
"The programme in place has us well on the way to meeting many of the Stage Two recommendations."