Hastings District Council has not entered any pleas on charges relating to the Havelock North gastro crisis.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council laid two charges against the district council for the unlawful taking of water, after an investigation found evidence of a breach of the maintenance conditions of its resource consent.
During August, E.coli in Havelock North's water supply caused about 5200 people to become ill, and two elderly women, with underlying medical conditions, died while sick with campylobacter.
The regional council launched an investigation into the source of the contamination, on top of an independent Government Inquiry.
The Government inquiry, set down to be heard today as well, was delayed due to the council's charges.