Extra clinics are being set up to meet demand for blood tests after lead was detected in the drinking water of two Otago towns.
Free blood tests for chronic lead exposure began on Tuesday for Waikouaiti and Karitane residents.
People in the East Otago towns were told not to drink the tap water after lead was detected in the reservoir, including one test in December that found lead levels were more than 40 times the maximum.
Dr Susan Jack is the Southern DHB's Medical Officer of Health.
