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Our Aquifer
The Ruataniwha aquifer is a major aquifer system located in the Ruataniwha basin, in Central Hawke’s Bay. The aquifer system is an extremely valuable resource, underlying the Ruataniwha Plains, and is well known due to its productive qualities. Around 28.5 million m3 of water is extracted from the aquifer system each year, for domestic, horticulture and agriculture use.
The Ruataniwha aquifer is a multi-layered alluvial system comprising a relatively shallow unconfined layer, and several deeper confined aquifers. The Ruataniwha aquifer covers an area of approximately 260 km2 , reaching depths of 200 metres at some locations. Travel time of water through the aquifer varies and in some parts it can take 25 years, whereas in others it can take more than 100 years.
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The Waipawa River, Tukituki River and Makaretu Stream are the three major waterways which flow over the Ruataniwha basin. All rivers and streams which flow over the basin, merge into the Waipawa and Tukituki Rivers at its eastern edge, around 10 km east of Waipawa and Waipukurau towns.
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The Ruataniwha aquifer is a living ecosystem which is hydraulically connected with a number of surface water bodies which flow over the Ruataniwha basin. These surface water ecosystems, as well as the aquifer ecosystems itself, have intrinsic value, are biologically diverse, and provide important ecosystem functions, such as water purification and flood control.
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The above information is from the HBRC document which can be view here: Ruataniwha Aquifer
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