A boil-water notice is expected to remain in place for parts of Central Otago until river levels recede and turbidity in the water clears.
A Central Otago District Council spokeswoman said that was likely to take about a week, possibly longer.
Until then people in Roxburgh, Lake Roxburgh Village and Alexandra must continue to boil their water for one minute and then let it cool before using it.
"When river levels do recede and the water clears, our water services team then needs to do testing as required under the Drinking Water Act. We must have three clear days of tests before the boil-water notice can be lifted. What this means is we are looking at a week or even longer, with a boil-water notice in place for Alexandra, Roxburgh and Lake Roxburgh Village water supplies."
The council also urged people to conserve water: "Maybe think twice about watering the garden, doing the laundry or using the dishwasher. Take a shorter shower ..."
