Its purpose was to investigate new, or enhanced water supplies in keeping with a condition in the Brookvale Bores 2008 consent, a council spokeswoman said.
In 2008 the council agreed to withdraw from using the Brookvale Bores as a primary water source, but requested an additional 10 years during which time the correct infrastructure would be developed.
Although the project was included in the 2009-2019 Long Term Plan (LTP), after investigation it was abandoned because it was decided to proceed with a more cost effective plan, the spokeswoman said.
This plan would also increase the water take from Frimley and improve the across-network capacity, and is included in the 2012-2022 LTP.
Recently the project was discussed by Guardians of the Aquifer spokeswoman Pauline Doyle when she called on both the district, and Hawke's Bay regional councils to take action at their respective recent annual plan submissions.
She called on the district council to investigate new water sources, and the regional council to "look after the [Heretaunga] aquifer".
She also urged that no district council staff be fired over the contamination "until we've had a chance to find out the truth".
Since a review of the Hastings District Council water services team was announced following the Havelock North inquiry, the possibility of job losses has been touted.
Ms Doyle stated there could not be "another loss of institutional knowledge, [the council's] defence for not learning the lessons after the previous campylobacter outbreak caused by Bore 2 in Brookvale Rd."
When asked about the project, Hastings CEO Ross McLeod said their concern was to make "the best investments possible" in water sources and treatment.
"Particularly in the context of young water being found in bores across the Heretaunga plains and some of the positive E. coli tests in certain bores in the last year," he said.
"Council is investing significantly in this work with a $12m capital investment programme provided for in the coming year."
"We have talked with Ms Doyle extensively about the water age test results and our investment rationale and approach, however it is unfortunate that some of the information she continues to present does not reconcile with historic record or the scientific evidence accepted by the Government Inquiry."
The consent to use the bores expires May 31, 2018.