Further research on deep well drilling in the Heretaunga Aquifer

Media Release
25 November 2015

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has asked staff to further investigate the options for a deep monitor well drilling programme for the Heretaunga Plains Aquifer.

A report to today’s Regional Council meeting concluded that while further deep well drilling in the aquifer would provide useful information to inform the development of council’s science programme, the value of doing expensive deep drilling is not currently justified.

It said there is adequate information available now to understand the main groundwater exploitation zone in the shallow upper part of the aquifer, particularly where there is significant interaction with surface work.

It said in future the model being developed may be used to identify where further drilling investigations may assist in filling key gaps needed to inform resource management decision making.

However some councillors felt a programme of deep well drilling could enable the council to understand more about the deeper aquifer and mitigate any concerns in the community about how the Heretaunga Plains Aquifer was being managed.

Councillor Tom Belford said the Heretaunga Plains Aquifer is a ‘billion dollar asset’ and as the council works towards a Plan Change for the area it is important the science is ‘sterling’ to protect that process from any potential environment court challenges.

Council instructed staff to research options for further a deep well drilling programme.
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