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Story: Sewage, water and waste

Artesian well

Image
Artesian well

McClure and Clemence were deep-well sinkers operating in Christchurch around 1920. The river gravels beneath the city contain aquifers in layers of porous gravels. In places the water is under pressure and will naturally flow to the surface if a well is sunk – as is illustrated by this gushing well.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, J. M. Marks Collection (PAColl-1629)

Reference: 1/1-000456; G

by J. M. Marks

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Christine Dann, Sewage, water and waste – Water supply, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/24436/artesian-well (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christine Dann, published 12 April 2010.