Bastia Hill Water Tower

Designed to reflect the arched aqueducts and towers of the water supply networks of ancient Rome, the tower was built in 1927 to service both Bastia and Durie Hill. There are three floors – not only for access – but also to stop the outer columns from bowing outwards under the weight of the water in the top tank, because 2000 tonnes of water is fairly heavy!

With the large Christmas star which can be seen at night throughout much of the city, it is a bit more ‘bling-bling’ than the Durie tower.

Another claim to fame is that at 50 metres the Bastia Hill water tower is taller than its sibling over on Durie. To be precise, the height of the bottom of the Bastia Hill water tank is 55 metres above the highest part of Durie Hill.

Building began in late 1925, and finished mid-April in 1927. The Bastia Hill Water Tower cost of £22,900. The tank was supplied with an automatic electric pump station, previously drawing water from the town supply. The dome’s purpose was to protect the water from the sun, and prevent “wobbling” of the tower’s secondary columns from potential wind gusts. The water tower received a thorough maintenance check-up and concrete refurbishment in the 1990s.

Note that the tower is NOT open to the public, but closer viewing can be had from walking or driving up Georgetti Road. Bastia Hill was named by an early settler, Mr Augustine Georgetti who originally came from the town of Bastia on the island of Corsica. Now the tower remains a significant landmark for Whanganui and carries telecommunications equipment.

In pre-European times Bastia Hill was the site of a large fortified pa, Taumahaaute.