PDP plays a crucial role in protecting Wellington’s water resources by providing expert technical support and monitoring during the removal and replacement of wharf piles in Wellington Harbour. Our team is involved in ongoing groundwater analysis to ensure that the projects at Seaview and Point Howard Wharves don’t impact the artesian aquifer, a vital drinking water source for the Wellington region.
Seaview Wharf, which is 50 years old, is essential for fuel supply to Wellington and surrounding areas. To future-proof the structure, recent upgrades involved the replacement of numerous piles. Meanwhile, the 90-year-old Point Howard Wharf has deteriorated significantly, with rotting wooden piles now being removed. Both projects carry a risk to the underlying artesian aquifer, which extends beneath the harbour and supplies drinking water to the region. Pile removal or replacement could create a pathway between the aquifer and the harbour, which would represent a significant risk water pressure and quality of the aquifer, potentially jeopardising Wellington’s water supply.
Brian Perry Civil is undertaking these projects for CentrePort at Seaview Wharf and for Hutt City Council at Point Howard Wharf. To support them, PDP provides daily water level assessments, analyses pumping records for potential signs of new aquifer leaks, and provides technical advice around on-site electrical conductivity measurements. These efforts ensure any potential impacts on the aquifer are detected and addressed quickly. This ongoing work, which has spanned several years, is expected to continue through early 2025.
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