The City of Cape Town’s new R250-million, 100-megalitre Contermanskloof reservoir, in Durbanville, has completed a one-year operational trial period and will now supply water to the city’s northern suburbs and Blaauwberg North areas.

The new addition to the city’s bulk water infrastructure enables 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, which is currently one of the fastest growing development corridors in South Africa, said Water and Sanitation MMC Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

“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,” he commented.

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 new reservoir, which adds to the already 180 potable water reservoirs in the city, delivers on the city’s commitment to secure water supply to its residents by maximising on available water resources.

The Contermanskloof reservoir acts as a balancing reservoir to stabilise the Voëlvlei pipeline supplying water to the Plattekloof reservoir, improves security of water supply to the Melkbos reservoirs, the Atlantis system and the Milnerton reservoirs, and acts as reservoir storage for the reticulation system of the fast growing Blaauwberg North area.

“This significant success will undoubtedly improve stability of supply through the water distribution network and relieve the demand on existing water infrastructure in our growing city,” Badroodien concluded.