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marvel at the thoroughness and perspicacity of the Chairman of the Committee, the well-

known John Fairbairn, who led the questioning. The obvious solution was to install proper
foul sewerage – but there would not be sufficient fresh water to allow for waterborne

sanitation and proper flushing of sewers.

The possibility of damming the Platteklip Stream was examined in some detail but rejected,
and there were brief thoughts on building dams on Table Mountain and exploiting the

“Newlands spring”. These were rejected in favour of a reservoir above the town, and

augmentation from springs on the property of a Mr van Breda who owned the farm
“Oranjezicht”. Again, however, there was no legal machinery to expropriate the rights to such

resources, and significant improvements were still some time away.

Nothing happened for over twenty years, until, eventually, in 1877 enabling legislation was

passed to permit a reservoir to be built on the Van Breda property. By this stage the town was
in a shocking state. Unrestrained winter torrents gouged out roads and flooded homes; sand

enveloped the town in clouds of red dust during south-easters, blinding and knocking down
unfortunate pedestrians. Waste accumulated in covered grachts and released stinking gases.

Night-soil and refuse collection was inefficient and the contents of the latrine pails were

frequently emptied directly into the streets. The city fathers were conservative to the point of
lethargy and did little to promote proper sanitation. In fairness to Council and its officials, it

does appear that the ratepayers had refused to raise a loan of £10,000 for construction of main
sewers. However, the water supply was becoming critical, so the new dam was given the

green light.

The Molteno reservoir was designed to hold 40 million gallons (about 180 Megalitres). (Fig.

3.13.) This earth dam was completed in 1880, but there was a drought in the following year
and the mountain streams dried up, so there was no winter inflow. Water restrictions had to

be applied, and the public had to make do with three hours supply on alternate days. When

the drought was broken in 1882, the reservoir burst, and it was not restored until 1886. Once
again the town had a water crisis.