We walked through Cubbon Park, stopping near a concrete lid that we thought might be a recharge well–a quick smell test quickly dispelled the notion as we realized it was just access to a sewer line. We then approached the first of 7 open wells inside the park. We were unable to get a water sample for TDS readings but we were able to lower a tape measure from under the leaf screen through the metal grate to gather a water level measurement for all but two of the wells. We struggled to find one of the wells, labeled on the map as “Cubbon Park Recharge Wells - Open Well Three. When we approached the location found on the map, what we found instead was a sprinkler trickling a small stream of water into a small depression–obviously not an open well.
The pinned location of “Open Well Three” and the actual well once we found it.
We continued walking through the park and stumbled across the missing well approximately 200 meters northwest from where it was pinned. We made note of its true location and measured its elevation, size, and depth of water below ground level. We finally made our way north to catch autos to go to Russell Market. After a brief ride, we arrived and began making our way to where the well was. As it came into view, I was immediately shocked to see garbage floating on the water surface inside the well.
The well was unique in that the nearby arterial, MF Norrena Street, encroached on the west side. A steel and concrete structure had been built to support the road over the edge of the well and a metal grate had been installed about three feet below ground level to prevent someone from falling in the well. There was a leaf screen over the metal grate but the water level in the well was high enough to cover the screen and grate with a couple inches of water.
Photo of Russell Market Well and of me measuring the TDS.
The water was close to the surface so we were able to reach down and test the TDS (317 PPM.) While doing so, several people wandered over, curious as to what we were doing. In our conversation with them, we discovered that the well is believed to predate the British in the city and that the British used the well’s water for their calvary’s horses. They told us that it was connected to 7 other wells in the area, but that some of them had been closed. It would be interesting to locate any of these other wells and verify their condition.
While we were talking around the well, a young boy with a large jug ran up, jumped down onto some garbage on top of the well’s grate, and filled the jug. I was surprised to see anyone using water from the well when the water’s surface was covered with litter. We asked him what the water was for as he climbed out with his jug of water, and he responded “washing clothes.” I was relieved that it wasn’t being used for drinking or cooking, But I found myself grateful that the well, despite not looking pristine, was still getting used by the community.
It’s been about a year and a half and the well is definitely cleaner than it was before being cleaned. But there remains a drastic contrast between it and the other rejuvenated wells we visited earlier in the day. I think one major difference that could lead to this is ownership. Nearly every well we monitored in Cubbon Park included a conversation with a park employee to ensure that we weren’t going to harm the well (or in one case, that I wouldn’t injure myself.) In Russell Market, There was no one around when we were there who had taken ownership of the well to make sure that it was maintained.
Since the visit, I have read several articles about the well’s rejuvenation. Despite the garbage, the well in Russell Market still remains beautiful, but it isn’t the spot that the articles I’ve read dreamed it would become. I think facilitating ownership by the community or by an individual might be key in transforming it into the idyllic place that it has the potential to be. Unfortunately I’m unsure as to the best way to achieve that.
Group photo of GCIL Interns with Ayushi in front of the market
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