The Central Otago District Council's concerned about plans to start discharging treated wastewater into the Shotover River - but is confident it won't impact drinking water

Queenstown Lakes District Council's announced it will use "emergency powers" to send 12-thousand cubic metres of wastewater into the river daily.

That would equal two-percent of its flow at low flow, and 0.02-percent of the flow of the Kawarau River.

Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley says the discharge quality should be regularly monitored.

She says that would give everyone comfort that the treated wastewater poses no risk.