Average winter air quality in Arrowtown has improved since the dark days of 2007, but residents can make their environment healthier by taking up the Otago Regional Council's Clean Heat Clean Air programme before it runs out.
The National Environmental Standard for air quality, established by the Government, sets a maximum allowable daily concentration of 50mcg per cubic metre of air.
Arrowtown has averaged 34mcg per cu m this winter, cleaner than 52mcg per cu m on average in winter 2007.
However, air pollution levels in Alexandra topped 100mcg per cu m twice this winter.
Arrowtown has had 15 high-pollution days and Alexandra has had 32 so far this year, to July 24.
Arrowtown's maximum so far is 77mcg per cu m and Alexandra's is 130mcg per cu m.
Air quality in Queenstown is not as much of a concern of the regional council's, due to its lakeside location and northwesterly winds flushing out smog.
Regular monitoring is not conducted.
Eligible residents have just over three months left to obtain the current level of heating subsidy under the Clean Heat Clean Air programme.
Government contributions to the programme ended on June 30. However, the regional council, with the support of the Central Lakes Trust, is continuing to offer heating subsidies to residents in the Air Zone 1 area, which covers Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell and Arrowtown, until October 31.
The subsidies, for retrofitting clean heating appliances in Central Otago Air Zone 1 homes are $1500 to those on general incomes and $2000 to Community Service Card holders.
From November 1, the council's Clean Heat Clean Air programme subsidy for Air Zone 1 households will be $1500 per property, regardless of whether or not applicants hold a Community Services Card.
The subsidy would apply to approved clean heating appliances and be subject to applicants agreeing to remove any non-complying burners in their property.
So far, the programme has fitted more than 2500 houses with modern heating appliances and more than 3000 with insulation.
