For decades, the District Council of Coober Pedy has been unlike almost every other council in South Australia.

Not only has it run the town, it has also operated one of its biggest businesses—our water supply.

But that is about to change.

With SA Water preparing to take over Coober Pedy's water services, one question looms larger than almost any other:

What will the council's finances look like once one of its largest revenue streams disappears?

Council's own Annual Business Plan paints a challenging financial picture.

It acknowledges that the council has historically delivered operating deficits, has limited working capital, and continues to face a significant backlog in replacing ageing infrastructure. The document also notes that cash reserves have been a key factor limiting capital works and investment in community assets.

Those are not observations made by critics.

They are council's own assessment of its financial position.

Water has long been one of council's largest business activities, generating millions of dollars each year through access and usage charges.

Of course, operating a water utility also comes with significant costs. Pumps, treatment plants, pipelines, electricity, maintenance and staffing all cost money. When SA Water assumes responsibility, many of those costs should transfer with the service.

However, residents have not yet been given a clear public picture of what the council's budget will look like once both the revenue and those associated costs leave the books.

Will council emerge financially stronger because it is no longer responsible for maintaining a remote water network?

Or will the loss of such a significant business leave an already financially constrained council searching for new sources of income?

Will rates need to rise?

Will services be reduced?

Will more assets fall behind on maintenance?

These are not criticisms. They are reasonable questions that deserve clear answers before one of the biggest structural changes in the council's history takes effect.

The transfer of the water business is about far more than who sends residents their water bill.

It is about the future financial sustainability of the District Council itself.

As Coober Pedy enters a new chapter under SA Water, residents deserve to know not only how their water will be managed, but how their council intends to manage without one of its largest sources of revenue.