The Government is reviewing rules on drinking water quality which it says are costing councils and communities tens of thousands of dollars.
A law change two years ago means council compliance on the standards is now mandatory.
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says the rules need to be reviewed so the Government has a clear understanding of their cost.
He says there should be a moratorium until the review is complete and expects to hear back from the ministry in the next fortnight.
Labour's water quality spokesperson, Brendon Burns, is accusing the Government of ignoring a Ministry of Health review last month that found 800,000 New Zealanders are drinking water that is not safe.
Mr Hide is questioning the ministry's statistics.
