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underground tanks, filled by mountain springs, for the use of the public. One example, the

‘Hurling Swaai Pump’ still exists in Princes Street Oranjezicht, and has been declared a
National Monument. (Fig. 3.11.) However, by 1850 only 20% of the town’s buildings had

running water; all others relied on slaves collecting water from the public fountains, or
carrying water from the mountain springs.

In about 1827 the town canals had long passed their usefulness for supplying household water

and Chisholm made a start on covering them over with stone or brick barrel arches. By all

accounts these drains were not constructed to the engineering standards of the day. It also is
unlikely, given the resources at the disposal of the fledgling municipality, that any proper

maintenance was carried out. The stenches that emerged from these foul sewers - for such

they had become - were cause for concern and annoyance, but little action was forthcoming.

By the mid 1840s the summer flow from the Platteklip stream had all but dried up, and in
1849 Chisholm built a 2½ million gallon reservoir to store winter flow. The main source of

supply was the spring on the farm Oranjezicht. The supply chamber is still in existence and
delivers about one Megalitre per day. (Fig. 3.12.) The quality is no longer considered potable

and the supply is used to irrigate Green Point Stadium. A 12 million gallon reservoir followed

in 1856. These open tanks, Service Reservoirs No 1 and 2, are still in use and can be seen
below Camp Street in the Gardens.

Around the world public health reform was taking root, and in mid-century significant

changes to London’s drainage began to take place. By 1850 it had been amply demonstrated

that cholera was spread by infected drinking water, and there were vigorous movements to
install and improve drainage and sewerage in European cities. The medical practitioners who

came to the Colony from Europe brought ideas about waterborne sewerage with them, but the
municipality was not prepared to invest in sanitary services. Cape Town was, however, not

only unpleasantly smelly but unmistakably unhealthy, and action was needed.

In 1857 the situation was becoming intolerable, and the newly established House of

Assembly decided to flex its muscle. It appointed a Select Committee to report on the
Sanitary State of Cape Town. The Committee heard extensive evidence, and one can only