“Water Pure and Wholesome” – Water supply in Bloemfontein in the 19th century

Image credit: The pump station at the foot of Naval Hill

People living in towns and cities take running water and taps for granted. But did you know that till the end of the 19^th century, Bloemfontein had no running water?

In the 19^th century the capital of the Free State depended on Bloemspruit, fountains, water wells, dams and boreholes for water. Water for businesses and private households was hauled with buckets everyday from the above mentioned water sources. As residents of the city increased, water became scarce and during 1894 water shortages became critical.

Bloemfontein municipality and the Volksraad (Free State Legislature) had to find a solution to the problem. In 1896 the Modder River Water Scheme was approved, and finally, by 1899, water from the nearby Modder River reached Bloemfontein via a pump station on Naval Hill. Water was pumped from the Modder River via pipes over Naval Hill to the pump station where it was pumped into an underground reservoir. Pipes were laid from Naval Hill to the streets and homes of residents. Finally, in 1899, residents of Bloemfontein had running tap water!

Source: Botes M, “Water pure and wholesome” – watervoorsiening in Bloemfontein in die 19de eeu, New Contree, Supplement edition 76, November 2016.

Text: Dr Mariaana Botes l Historian l National Museum