In 1884, the Wellington City Council developed Wellington’s main water supply sourced in Wainuiomata. However, Wainuiomata residents couldn’t afford to use it.
To supply the water needs for locals, Wainuiomata had its own schemes that drew from local sources. By the early 1940s, new solutions were needed due to increased population, housing, etc.
The Wainuiomata Development Company developed a scheme that drew water from small streams behind Hair Street. But it faced issues with muddy water. In 1955 a new water supply from Skerrets Creek with concrete tanks was established.
Today, there are no visible signs of any infrastructure from the Hair Street scheme with water tanks being removed by the 1970s. It’s a different story at Skerretts Creek. A walk up the creek will reveal a lot of visible eroding infrastructure including pipes, weirs, and two remaining water tanks. Additionally, two tanks along the Mt Crowther Track remain intact.
