Waterloo Wells Replacement Project, Lower Hutt

Wellington Water, on behalf of Greater Wellington, is planning to construct a new drinking water well at the northern end of Ludlam Park, Lower Hutt.

The well will draw water from the Waiwhetū Aquifer and will help supply safe, reliable drinking water to homes and businesses across the Wellington region.

The project will be delivered in two stages:

• Stage 1: Drilling and testing of the water well (planned for June–August 2026)
• Stage 2: Installation of a protective enclosure and construction of a new water main to connect the well into the wider network (approximately six months later)

This project is a key part of a wider programme to improve the resilience and reliability of the Wellington region’s drinking water supply.

The new well will have the capacity to deliver up to 25 million litres of water per day, providing a substantial and secure source of supply during periods of high demand or disruption.

The new well will be designed and constructed in a way that allows it to continue operating through a major earthquake and power outages, providing a resilient supply of water for the region.

The Wellington region’s water supply faces increasing pressure from population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure.

This new well will:

• Improve the resilience of the drinking water network during dry periods
• Reduce the risk of water shortages and unplanned outages
• Provide an additional secure source of supply to support the long‑term needs of the region

During summer and dry conditions, the Waiwhetū Aquifer is a critical source of water and can supply a large proportion of the region’s drinking water. Strengthening access to this aquifer helps protect water supply for current and future generations.

Wellington Water Committee Chair (at the time) Campbell Barry commented in October 2025 “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.”

Chair of the regional council Daran Ponter also 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 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.

The Waiwhetū Aquifer is an underground, pressurised groundwater system made up of gravel and sand layers beneath the Lower Hutt Valley and Wellington Harbour.

It is a long‑established source of high‑quality drinking water for the region. Water from the aquifer is naturally filtered through the ground and is treated and tested before being supplied to homes and businesses, in line with New Zealand drinking water standards.

Ludlam Park sits directly above the Waiwhetū Aquifer and provides a suitable location on public land, avoiding impacts on private property.

The site was selected following a detailed assessment of 93 possible locations across the Hutt Valley, supported by technical studies and exploratory investigations to confirm its suitability for both construction and long‑term operation.

Wellington Water’s Group Manager Treatment and Control Systems, Jeremy McKibbin added “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.”

Greater Wellington, who owns the region’s bulk water supply assets including wells, funded the project. Wellington Water is delivering this project on their behalf and working with Hutt City Council (who own the land where the well will be located, on Road Reserve).

Note: Tiaki Wai is the new organisation that will deliver water services across Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt, and Wellington cities from 1 July 2026. 

Yes, in the long term we are going to have to look into installing more wells. There are a variety of reasons for this. The current wells are ageing and in need of replacement over the next 10-15 years plus.

Population growth is another key driver, which is continually increasing the demand for water. Over the long term, this will create a need for additional wells to match this demand. We will need new wells so that we continue to provide reliable water supply for the region. 

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.

Both are important.  Reducing leaks and securing reliable water sources are complementary parts of managing the region’s water network. This project improves resilience of supply, particularly during dry periods, while other programmes focus on reducing losses from aging pipes.

Wellington Water and Hutt City Council (Tiaki Wai from 1 July 2026) will provide updates through:

• Letter drops to nearby properties
• On‑site signage
• Online project updates where appropriate

We are committed to keeping the community informed ahead of and during construction.

During construction, the northern end of Ludlam Park will be temporarily fenced for safety. There may also be short‑term changes to nearby footpaths and parts of Massey Avenue.

Once construction is complete, the area will be reinstated and full public access to the park will be restored.

The well itself will sit within a well enclosure (dimensions: 7050mm (L) x 3060mm (W) x 2750mm (H). We are working with our mana whenua iwi partners on design aspects. We will share more information on the look and feel as we work through the design stages.

Any above‑ground structures will be designed to:

• Minimise visual impact
• Reduce noise
• Fit respectfully within the park environment

In future, there may also be opportunities for community input into features such as educational signage about the Waiwhetū Aquifer or learning opportunities for local schools.

Because the well is located on public land, formal approvals from nearby residents are not required.

However, we recognise that this project affects the local community, particularly during construction. We are committed to being transparent, responsive, and open to community involvement in appropriate aspects of the project.

While the location and core infrastructure are fixed, we expect there will be opportunities for community involvement in certain aspects of the site, such as:

• Educational or interpretive signage
• Engagement events or school learning initiatives
• Design elements that help the asset sit well within the park

Further information on these opportunities will be shared as the project progresses.

• Stage 1 – Well drilling: Expected to start in June 2026 and finish by August 2026
• Stage 2 – Connection works: Expected late in 2026 and will include:
  • A protective enclosure built at the well site
  • A new watermain along Penrose Street, connecting to the existing network at Knights Road.

Timings may be refined as detailed planning continues.

During Stage 1 construction, residents may notice:

• Temporary construction noise and vibration (drilling expected for around five days)
• Construction vehicle movements
• Temporary fencing or restricted access to parts of the park

These impacts will be actively managed to minimise disruption.

We will provide more information in due course on what to expect in the second phase of construction (Stage 2) although we can confirm this will cause some disruption along Penrose Street, with traffic management in place and the installation of the well enclosure at the park.

Once operational, the well will operate quietly. Any noise from pumping equipment will be low‑level, intermittent, and designed to comply with council noise limits.

No. Construction of the new well will not affect the safety or quality of your drinking water.

Before being connected to the network, the well will be thoroughly tested to confirm water quality, performance, and safety.

Water from the Waiwhetū Aquifer:

• Is naturally filtered underground
• Is treated and tested before entering the drinking water network
• Must meet strict New Zealand drinking water standards

The new well will undergo extensive testing before being put into service.

The well will be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with all required consents and regulations.

Measures are in place to protect:

• The Waiwhetū Aquifer
• Surrounding groundwater
• The local environment

Ongoing monitoring helps ensure the aquifer remains safe and sustainable for the future.

No long‑term health risks are expected.

During construction, the site will be managed with appropriate fencing, signage, and safety controls to protect park users and nearby residents.

Once fully commissioned:

• The well will operate quietly with minimal day‑to‑day activity
• The affected area of the park will be fully reinstated
• Operational staff will visit periodically to inspect and maintain the well