The Carter Fountain in Oriental Bay after springing back to life on Wednesday.

The Carter Fountain in Oriental Bay has sprung back into life – albeit months later than expected.

In March, when the fountain first malfunctioned, it was estimated it would take up to three months to fix.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said the motor and pump assembly had to be sent away for inspection, which took a couple of months, after which it became clear the assembly had to be replaced by the German manufacturer.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Oriental Bay's Carter Fountain before its March malfunction. It is now working again, and will be lit up red and green for the holiday season.

"So the ordering, manufacture, shipping and reinstallation took the rest of the time.

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"The fountain pumps seawater – which is obviously pretty tough on electrics and mechanical apparatus. The motor and pump were just worn out – we've replaced motors and pumps on the fountain about once every 10 years on average," he said.

"It's pretty much ready to go – there's a bit of tweaking involving the lights and the controls but hopefully it'll be totes geysering away from tomorrow [Thursday]."

The jets started up again about 11.30am on Wednesday, only being paused briefly to allow workmen to calibrate the two jets and reinstall lights, which will remain red and green for the duration of the holiday season.