Roxburgh residents are set to have a more reliable water supply as work begins this week to replace a critical water main running from the Roxburgh reservoir at the end of Edinburgh Street, down to Scotland Street.

Having been constructed in 1960, the Central Otago District Council water main was identified as having reached the end of its useful life and was at risk of water supply interruptions or damage to property and roads, as a result of a possible pipe failure.

Additional risk was identified as large sections of the original pipework is exposed above ground deeming it vulnerable to damage caused by falling trees or animal grazing in the area.

The project was being funded through Crown stimulus funding as part of the Three Waters Reform Programme supporting economic recovery post COVID-19.

Work would initially be focused within the Council-owned land around the reservoir with minor disruption at the top of Tweed Street.

The local community will be notified directly prior to work extending down Tweed and Scotland Streets.

Work is expected to be on-going until mid-April 2022.