Public queues for safe water out of tankers

Holidaymaker Janet Pelham fills up her water container in Alexandra yesterday as tanker driver Tony Begg looks on.

Central Otago residents are facing at least another week of boiling water arrangements as the region continues to be hampered by flooding.

The Central Otago District Council continued to urge residents to conserve water and said December 16 was the "best case scenario" in lifting the boil-water notice.

Four water tankers were operating in Alexandra and three in Roxburgh so residents and holidaymakers could fill their own water containers. A council spokeswoman said a 25% reduction in water use had been recorded in Alexandra since Saturday.