Marlboroughs Aquifers
Marlborough has a number of aquifers, the most significant of which are located beneath the Wairau Plain. The Wairau Aquifer is by far the most important. It is coloured light blue on the map and underlies most of the northern Wairau Plain.
Almost all water used by Blenheim and its hinterland for crop irrigation, industrial processing, municipal and stock supply is sourced from the Wairau Aquifer. It is not surprising that it receives the most focus within the district.
Use the Map or the links below for more information about individual aquifers.
The Lagoons Transition Sector and Riverlands Transition Sector were defined for water management purposes and have not been described in detail because they share attributes common to both the Wairau Aquifer and Riverlands Aquifer.
In other areas of Marlborough groundwater is less prominent, either because the local geological structure does not naturally store water, or there is no significant source of recharge. Some of these minor aquifers include:
Other groundwater systems exist, but have no formal name yet such as those linked to the Rai/Pelorus River system and beneath Havelock or Picton.