WORK on a new reservoir which will serve around 5,000 properties in the north and east of the Island has started today.

The reservoir at Glen Auldyn in Ramsey will replace the old service reservoir which sits underneath the Ballure Water Treatment Works.

It will store three times as much water as that of the Ballure service reservoir and will take 67 weeks to construct. Work will be carried out by Auldyn Construction.

The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority has also announced that a new service reservoir at Ballagawne in Colby has been commissioned by Island Drainage and Groundworks Ltd.

This reservoir replaces the original which had been in service since 1945 but had come to the end of its useful life.

The Water and Sewerage Authority is now supplying the area with water from the Douglas Water Treatment Works and the reservoir will ensure that the quality and reliability of supplies to customers can be maintained.

Both of the reservoirs consist of twin underground tanks which will hold 1.5 million gallons of water and will provide 24 hours security of supply to customers. Water can be used to meet the peak demand during the day and will ensure that customer's water supplies can be maintained for up to 24 hours in the event of a major burst within the system.

The reservoirs are designed to have grass slopes and a gravel covered roof which mean that they are generally not noticed by a casual observer. 

Tim Crookall MHK, chairman of the Water and Sewerage Authority, said: "The reservoirs at Glen Auldyn and at Ballagawne are two more schemes within the authority’s water asset management plan which will help to secure supplies to our customers for many years to come.

"I must thank the residents who live close to these sites for their support when we have been seeking planning approval for the schemes and also to those near to the Ballagawne site for their patience during the construction works."