Ever tasted water with a hint of earth? It may sound unusual. Here at the Rond-Point du Puits Artésien you can experience it.
The Rond-Point du Puits Artésien is named after a special well. It is a well where water rises on its own. This happens because of underground pressure.
Let’s delve into the story of this place. The Rond-Point du Puits Artésien owes its existence to a fascinating geological phenomenon. It’s called an artesian well. This isn’t just any water source. It taps into an aquifer deep beneath Paris.
Imagine a vast underground reservoir. It lies about 500 meters below us. This reservoir is trapped under a thick layer of clay. A well is dug to reach this aquifer. The water then rises naturally due to the pressure. This creates an artesian well.
The history of artesian wells dates back centuries. The term “artesian” comes from Artois. This is a former province in France. Monks in Lillers-en-Artois discovered this phenomenon around 1126.
Paris has several artesian wells. One was drilled here between 1866 and 1903. The city decided to drill in 1863. Prefect Haussmann wanted to supply the neighborhood with water. He also wanted to increase the flow of the Bièvre River. Tanneries used the Bièvre for washing skins.
However the Bièvre River was gradually covered. So, new ideas arose in 1898. People wanted to use the well’s 6000 cubic meters of warm water produced daily. In 1904, the city council approved a bathing facility. But only shower baths opened in 1908. The pool project was revived in 1919. In 1924, the Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool opened. It used water from this artesian well.
The wells of Paris draw water from the Albian aquifer. This lies about 600 meters below the surface under the Paris Basin. This aquifer holds an estimated 700 billion cubic meters of water. The water is tens of thousands of years old.
Black clay layers trap the water. This creates a pressure of 60 bars. Drilling into the aquifer releases this pressure. This makes the water rise to the surface.
The Rond-Point du Puits Artésien is on Place Paul-Verlaine. The water emerges at 28 degrees Celsius. It is safe to drink. It has a slightly sulfuric taste. It is rich in iron and fluoride. It is low in calcium.
A “History of Paris” marker tells more of the story. The well was intended to supply houses on the Butte. These were 62 meters above sea level. It was also meant to increase the Bièvre’s flow. Drilling began in 1863. Work stopped in 1872 at 532 meters.
After twenty years work resumed. Water finally gushed forth in 1903. It came from 582 meters deep. It was slightly sulfuric and lukewarm at 28 degrees. Nearly 6000 cubic meters flowed daily.
The Bièvre was being covered so the water was not needed for it. Also homes were getting running water. Twenty years passed. Then this pool was built powered by the artesian well in 1924.
In 1994, Paris entrusted Eau de Paris with renovating the artesian wells. A new fountain opened in 1999. The original well was aging. So a new one was drilled in 2000. It reached a depth of 620 meters.
So next time you take a sip of water here think about its journey. Think about its history. It is a journey from deep within the earth to quench your thirst. The Rond-Point du Puits Artésien offers more than just water. It offers a taste of Parisian history.