Artesian Water – WildBay

Back in September 2012 a new Fresh Pure Artesian water fountain was opened in Lower Hutt. It is complements the original one located on the junction of Jackson Street and Buick Street in Petone.
In every way the design differs. Where the Petone Site has Sculptures to represent water vessels the one in Lower Hutt is minimalist in comparison.
It is located at The Dowse Square and is located of Laings Road, Lower Hutt.

A large concrete square is the main feature with the section running along the main road being planted within water, then on the opposite side are planted grass squares and trees.

On one of the 2 remaining sides is the Dowse Museum and the 4th side is the I-Site and a water sculpture.

There are 4 points of collection which are located either side of the path that enters from the main road.

Any run off from people filling up their containers goes back into the planted area therefore keeping the wetland planting well watered.

A Brief history of Artesian water:

It takes around a year to filter through the Hutt Valley aquifer, sourced from a bore to 40m underground.

Water from the Hutt River starts to flow underground around Taita Gorge. From Melling southwards, the water becomes naturally pressurised beneath a layer of hard clay. This pressurised zone, the Waiwhetu artesian aquifer, stretches as far south as the harbour. It is estimated to be up to 70 metres thick at its western edge against the Wellington fault line, and 20 metres thick at the eastern edge of the harbour. The pressure in the aquifer has resulted in several fresh water springs in the harbour floor. Water takes more than 12 months to pass through the aquifer to our wells and is naturally filtered while underground, making it free from disease causing micro-organisms.

Petones Artesian Blog.

Hutt City FaceBook Page

New Dowse Museum

james/wildbaynz/windy hill flying club

Petone (Pito-one) was where the 1st attempt to colonise the area was made.

Originally people of the area used the water from the Hutt River for a number of years.Later, Artesian Water was discovered which provide much better and purer water.

Now days the residents are supplied treated Artesian water, also free untreated Artesian water is available from The Spring of Life ( Te Puna Wai) which is located in Buick Street with the junction of Jackson Street, the main street of Petone.

The water is free of micro organisms and organic substances. This is possible because it is filtered over the time it takes to arrive at this point.

Every day when passing The Spring of Life you will see people filling up water containers,with many traveling long distances to get there.

Water from the Hutt Valley River works its way through layers of sand and gravel which in turn are surrounded by layers of silt and clay. The water starts at Taita Gorge north of the Hutt Valley.

Over a number of years the water will travel through sand and gravel before it reaches Petone and the Spring of Life. From here it will continue into the Harbour at Wellington before finishing it journey at the mouth of the harbour where its meets the Cook Straits.

So if every out near Petone don’t forget to take some water containers and give it a try. Even if you forget there is a small drinking fountain on the site.

There is a very food information sign that will give some good information about the history Artesian Water.

The fountain was designed by Louise Purvis and was commission in 2003/

Petone’s Artesian Water Fountain

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.

Category: Artesian Water

Out There and Behond: Lower Hutt’s Artesian Water.

Out There and Beyond: Petone’s Artesian Water