A diesel spill that left Raetihi without running water for three weeks is estimated to have cost the Ruapehu District Council about $800,000.
Ruapehu District Council chief executive Peter Till, who released the figure, said it was likely to increase further with some small ongoing cost.
The spill occurred in late September last year when a 40,000-litre diesel tank on Turoa Ski Field leaked its contents into the Makotuku Stream.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) and Petroleum Services (2001) are facing charges from Horizons Regional Council and WorkSafe New Zealand over the spill and will appear in the Environment Court in Ohakune on August 28. Some of the charges attract a penalty of $500,000 or the possibility of jail time.
RAL pleaded guilty to four charges in the Taihape District Court relating to the release of the contaminant, failure to maintain equipment, failure to enact a reasonable response plan and failure to notify WorkSafe New Zealand of the diesel spill.