Rotorua geysers ‘also face natural threat’

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 27

Rotorua geysers ‘also face natural threat’

PA Wellington Rotorua’s geothermal field, already under pres-

sure from water draw-off for bores, could face a further threat from a natural decline, says a Victoria University of Wellington researcher, Dr Gary Turner. After a Ministerial meeting held recently to discuss problems with the field, the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard, said the Government was looking at immediate steps to take pressure off the area. In a report for Anaru Rangiheuea and the Whakarewarewa Village Trust, dated August 23, Dr Turner said the amount of flow from the Rotorua wells was within 10 per cent of the amount necessary to cause the springs in Whakarewarewa to cease completely. “Allowing for the uncertainty in the measurements, it is likely that the present winter draw-off is

already exceeding that amount, which is the reason for the present problems,” said the report. Dr Turner has concluded, based on data to May this year, that there will be a natural decline in the flow from the springs between 1991 and 1993.

Since it had already been established that the geothermal springs were under “great threat” from the present draw-off, the occurrence of a natural pressure drop in the next five years could pose a significant threat to the continued flow.

Dr Turner predicted the threat could last for "perhaps a year.” Today there was some evidence that the geothermal field responded more slowly to change than was thought he said.