I had a meeting in the Gardens yesterday, and on the way back I noticed this strange old building (it probably contains water pumps or something) sticking out into a water reservoir. I love the way it was built to be functional, but to still look pretty. Also can you see the two rows of birds sitting on the railing?
I have been in this suburb about a million times, and it is amazing how you can live in the same place for so long, and think you know an area so well, and yet you still stumble on things that you have no idea existed in the first place. A very unexpected find.
I guess this in on the Molteno Reservoir – which was Cape Town’s third water-storage project built over four years from 1877-1881 and named after the first prime minister of the Cape. It broke its banks in 1882 so it was back to the drawing board and finally it was completed in 1886 and has been in use ever since – obviously supplemented by other dams and boreholes over the years! It is a beautifully constructed dam. The Graaff electric lighting building alongside is also a stunning building. Lots on it if you Google Molteno Reservoir.
Thanks Caro, yes you are right, thanks for solving that puzzle for me. I was just reading the Wikipedia article, and it has a fascinating history. Amazing that we have a working reservoir right in the middle of the city.
Beautiful photo, Craig – so naughty of you to have sneaked it :) You can find out more about the building here, http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.446592291552.236930.201229746552&type=3 and here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349562551552.158658.201229746552&type=3
We’d love you to come and take some photos of Cape Town’s hidden and embedded water infrastructure. Thank you, Caron
Thanks Caron, very interesting background on your site, loved the one showing how deep the reservoir is. Would be happy to take some shots of the waterworks, always looking for interesting shots.
Hi Caron
Any chance you know why they dont allow you to take photos of the reservoir?
would really love to know why:)
We’re not allowed to take photos as it is a “strategic point” – you’ll notice that on google one can only zoom in to a certain distance…I guess b/c we could poison so many – though how we do that with a camera, I’m not sure ;) – but what stops anyone throwing arsenic from Molteno Road?
It’s all bureaucratic games at the end of the day. My view is to shoot first and ask permission later. So far (mostly) so good.
Exactly!
Tower-valves they are called in the UK. That’s a lovely little access bridge. Nice find.
Thanks Gerald, that makes sense to me
was there today, absolutely stunning photo
But How??? those security guards are everywhere:)
Hi Schuma
I don’t really know. I guess that it is a throwback to the 80’s “don’t photograph any government installations”, and I guess as a water supply it could qualify. Having said that, there was no security when I was there, and it is easier to ask forgiveness that for permission, so just shoot and hope for the best :-)
Here is a good link on the legal side of things.
Craig