The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate welcomes the new addition to its bulk water infrastructure, the Contermanskloof Reservoir in Durbanville. This adds to the already 180 potable water reservoirs in the City.
The City has invested over R250 million in the Contermanskloof Reservoir, which has a capacity of 100 megalitres. This delivers on the City’s commitment to secure water supply to its residents by maximising on available water resources.
The reservoir allows for greater flexibility in maintaining supply in the bulk water network, through increased storage capacity in high-growth areas.
The 2015 Bulk Water Master Plan identified Contermanskloof Reservoir as an innovative solution to cope with the rapid growth and increasing water demand in the Blaauwberg area – currently one of the fastest growing development corridors in South Africa.
‘The design process for the reservoir began in 2014 and construction was completed in 2022. Since it was handed over to Water and Sanitation in September 2022, the reservoir has successfully completed a one-year operational trial period and will now supply water to the northern suburbs and Blaauwberg North areas,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
The design includes a rectangular embankment-type reservoir, with a reinforced concrete floor, walls and roof structure (similar to the other bulk water reservoirs in Cape Town).
The aim of the construction of Contermanskloof Reservoir was to:
· Act as a balancing reservoir to stabilise the Voëlvlei pipeline supplying water to the Plattekloof Reservoir.
· Improve security of water supply to the Melkbos reservoirs and Atlantis system.
· Improve security of water supply to the Milnerton reservoirs.
· Act as reservoir storage for the reticulation system of the fast growing Blaauwberg North area (i.e. the area north of Parklands).
‘This significant success will undoubtedly improve stability of supply through the water distribution network and relieve the demand on existing water infrastructure due to our growing City. It’s exciting to see the reservoir in its operational state, largely due to the perseverance of a dedicated team throughout all of the challenges presented during the construction period,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
