Health officials in Otago say people tested so far in two towns with toxic lead levels in the water supply are showing detectable, but low, levels of lead in their system.
Blood testing for potential lead contamination in the Otago towns Karitane and Waikouaiti. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
People in Waikouaiti and Karitane near Dunedin were told not to drink the tap water after lead was detected in the reservoir.
Dr Susan Jack from the Southern District Health Board said more than 1000 people have already had a free blood test, and the low levels of lead found were expected.
"The results are coming through but it's still early days and as expected most people do have detectable but very low levels of lead.
"If any people do have results that are higher than the cut-off they'll get a call to inform them of their result.
"Then over the next couple of days we'll review their questionnaire and we'll need to go back and ask a few more questions to see what their possible exposures to lead might be."
Dr Jack would not say how many tests showed high lead levels.
She said about 1700 residents were yet to be tested. It was hoped all of the results would be back by the end of next week.
