Whaanga Coast property owners have until Friday to sign up to the Waikato District Council's planned wastewater reticulation network.

The scheme is designed to address the area's ongoing wastewater problems.

Properties whose on-site waste systems are assessed as compliant can opt out of the scheme.

Council water and facilities manager Richard Bax said council staff continued to check properties that had wastewater run-off in the past.

"There are on-site waste systems that are still not operating, with wastewater running down driveways, leaking from tanks and pipes, and generally posing a health risk in the immediate areas and for neighbouring properties.''

Councillor Clint Baddeley said it was great to see a number of property owners recognised the seriousness of the problem.

The scheme will see Whaanga Coast properties connected to a reticulation network and their wastewater sent to the Raglan treatment plant.

The council has proposed a 60:40 funding split between the community and the council for the capital cost of the scheme.

The 40 per cent council share will come from a loan.

The council has decided ratepayers will not need to pay their first contribution to the scheme until mid-next year given the project will not be completed until early 2013.

- © Fairfax NZ News