New Lower Hutt water well to boost regional water supply resilience

Wellington Water, on behalf of Greater Wellington, is installing a new water well in Ludlam Park, in Woburn, Lower Hutt to improve regional water supply resilience. 

It’s part of a long-term, strategic project to plan for the eventual replacement of the existing eight wells in Waterloo, Lower Hutt and build new ones. These wells bring up water from the Waiwhetū Aquifer and into the region’s homes and businesses.  

Wellington Water Committee Chair Campbell Barry says “This new well at Ludlam Park is a smart move to make our water supply more reliable. The existing wells are old and under pressure, especially in summer.” 
 
“Adding a ninth well spreads the load and gives us more backup when things go wrong. We’re not taking more water, just using what we have in a better way. It’s a sensible step to future-proof a key part of our region’s water network.”

Greater Wellington, who own the region’s bulk water supply assets including wells, funded the project. Chair of the regional council Daran Ponter reinforced the importance of the Waiwhetū Aquifer. 
 
“We draw about 40 percent of the region’s average annual water supply from aquifer wells in Lower Hutt, increasing to about 80 percent in peak summer periods. We are blessed with this resource but mustn’t take it for granted. That’s why Greater Wellington works closely with Wellington Water to protect the aquifer and ensure it is sustainably managed.”

The Gear Island and Waterloo wells in Lower Hutt provide approximately 40% of the average annual water supply to the Wellington Region and up to 80% in peak summer periods. 

There are currently eight wells along Knights Road that bring up the water from the aquifer, and into the Waterloo Water Treatment Plant, before entering homes and businesses. The Ludlam Park well will be the ninth to supply water to this treatment plant.

Another three wells at Petone foreshore flow into the Gear Island Water Treatment Plant.

The existing wells are vulnerable to natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, sea level rise and saline intrusion. These wells are old too, with the Gear Island Wells about 40-50 years old and the Waterloo Wells around 30-40 years old. They are designed to last around 50 years.

Wellington Water’s Group Manager Treatment and Control Systems and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Jeremy McKibbin, talked about the process so far.

“Wellington Water have provided a technical recommendation to Greater Wellington to progress with the Ludlam Park site for the additional water well. This follows a robust process where we assessed 93 Lower Hutt locations for well suitability. Ludlam Park proved to be optimal in terms of water yield – its ability to efficiently and effectively bring water up from the Waiwhetū Aquifer. Greater Wellington accepted our advice.”

“The wells, like other water infrastructure, are getting old and need to be replaced in the coming years. We have crews assessing their condition and putting in place plans for a long-term replacement strategy.”

“The Ludlam Park well improves overall resilience. It means we’re not reliant on the eight existing wells operating at maximum capacity over the busy summer period, when water use is at its peak. It means the nine wells can operate efficiently at around 80% capacity. It’s important to note that it doesn’t mean we’re taking more water from the aquifer – this remains the same.”

Given the ongoing need to improve the resilience of the region’s water supply, other shortlisted locations - such as Hautana Square - remain in consideration as possible sites for a second well planned in the coming years.   
 
Wellington Water is beginning the installation of the new well this financial year and will keep the public updated on key developments and the expected impact.