SALT LAKE CITY — Many, if not all, of the world’s greatest cities began with a village well, and Salt Lake City was no exception.

Dubbed the “Central City Gem,” the artesian well at 800 South and 500 East has been valued as a source of pure water for over a century.

So how exactly did it come about, and why are Utahns still using it more than a century later?

“For example, the water rights on the artesian well here date back to 1890,” said Laura Briefer, director of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.

The department manages maintenance of the park and monitoring of water quality to ensure it is safe for people to drink.

The well is an artesian well, meaning a pump is not needed to raise the water to the surface. There is sufficient pressure in the aquifer below resulting from a large area of ​​recharge extending from Red Butte Creek beneath the University of Utah.

History of the artesian well

“There is evidence in the historical record that this water source was used to support different types of social functions,” Briefer added.

According to a June 30, 1991 Salt Lake Tribune article, legend has it that the “City Well” was used by early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneers in the Valley in 1847. Some historians say that fresh water also quenches thirst. Oxen carrying granite blocks from quarries in Cottonwood canyon to build the Salt Lake temple.

Some even say that the well was not opened until 1890 due to drought.

In 1936 the city requested underwater ground for the well. It was officially owned by the people of Utah that year; the park was built in the late 70s and the gas station was built in 1979.

The park that Salt Laker residents know today was redesigned in 2019.

Cups and bottles are being filled all over Utah

“It feels different than other waters, and it even tastes different,” West Valley resident Jessica Perez explained. “I use water for drinking and cooking.”

Although this artesian well is not part of the city’s official water supply, Briefer says it is a vital resource for the community.

He said the quality of the water is very good. “It meets all federal and state regulatory requirements that would apply to the drinking water supply if it were a public system.”

Briefer noted that small amounts of Perchlorate were present in the water supply. Perchlorate is a naturally occurring chemical compound.

Perchlorate was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency to see if there were any concerns for those who drink the water. Briefer said the EPA found nothing that would impact well users.

CLICK HERE To learn more about the quality of water at Artesian Well Park.