Bores, wells, and drilling
People generally put down bores and wells so they can get to groundwater. But they also drill underground so they can sample the rock types or find bedrock for their foundations. Drilling a bore into shallow groundwater doesn't generally cause significant adverse effects unless the bore is not sealed well in which case pollutants travel down the sides of well into groundwater.
In some areas in the region, like the Hutt Valley, the groundwater flows in gravels underneath confining layers of silt and clay. Water in these deeper aquifers is held under pressure (artesian) and if the confining layers of soil above them are punctured with too many holes the aquifer can lose pressure.
The rule controlling bore and well drilling is in the Regional Freshwater Plan. Being allowed to construct a bore does not automatically allow you to take water. In the Lower Hutt Groundwater Zone a water permit is required to take any water. Everywhere else, you need a water permit to take more than 20,000 litres a day (see water takes). The term bore is defined in the Regional Freshwater Plan.
Rules about bores, wells and drilling
Rule 10, Rule 11, Rule 12, Rule 13 and Rule 14 of the Regional Freshwater Plan were deleted by Plan Change 1 to the Regional Freshwater Plan.
Rule 15 of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a land use consent to drill a bore anywhere in the Region. This is a discretionary activity. This rule was changed by a Plan Change notified on 9 February 2002.