How SBS Tanks Helped an Export Apple & Pear Farm Cut Water Losses, Reduce Energy Costs, and Future-Proof Growth – Download our PDF version here!
Farming at scale in South Africa’s Western Cape demands more than good soil and favourable weather. It requires resilience – especially when water security and energy reliability are increasingly unpredictable.
For Andre Cloete, an award-winning Tru-Cape grower in the Overberg region, irrigation reliability is not optional. It is the foundation of a diversified, export-focused farming operation that has grown steadily over 15 years.
Located along the banks of the Riviersondereind River, Klein Ezeljacht Farm has expanded from 21 hectares to 54 hectares and now supports apples, pears, sheep, grains, and cattle. As the farm grew, so did the pressure on its water and power systems – forcing Andre to rethink how water was stored, protected, and delivered across the property.
Like many agricultural producers in South Africa, Andre faced increasing electricity downtime and load-shedding, directly impacting irrigation schedules during critical growing periods.
To mitigate this risk, additional water storage became essential. However, traditional solutions presented serious challenges:
• Earth dams and concrete reservoirs triggered Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, resulting in long approval timelines, professional fees, and construction cost escalation.
• Extensive hard-rock demolition was required at elevated reservoir sites.
• Open storage would lead to significant evaporation losses.
• Concrete and earth dams carry high lifetime maintenance costs, estimated at up to 115% of the initial installed cost.
• Leak detection, cleaning, and repairs are time-consuming and disruptive.
• Post-storage water treatment plants would be required, causing pressure loss and additional operational complexity.
Adding to this, the proposed reservoir locations were positioned at the highest and most difficult-to-access points on the farm – making logistics and construction even more challenging.
Andre needed a solution that could be implemented quickly, comply with environmental regulations, reduce water and energy losses, and still support long-term expansion plans.
The SBS Solution: Modular Water Storage Built for GrowthWorking in partnership with Hortgro and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Andre integrated SBS Tanks’ modular steel reservoirs into a hybrid gravity-fed and pumped irrigation system.
SBS Tanks provided a solution specifically suited to the farm’s terrain, access constraints, and growth strategy:
• Bladder-lined, corrosion-resistant tanks eliminated the need for post-storage water treatment and removed EIA requirements.
• Flat-packed components enabled efficient transport to elevated, hard-to-reach sites.
• Minimal foundation requirements reduced civil works and environmental disruption.
• The modular design allowed for scalable expansion without interrupting operations.
• Tanks could be relocated or expanded as irrigation layouts evolved.
The rollout was deliberately phased to align with operational needs and capital planning:
• Phase 1 (2023): 3 × 500 kL SBS reservoirs
• Phase 2: 2 × 750 kL reservoirs
• Phase 3: Scheduled for 2025
• Phase 4 (planned): Solar PV installation to power pumps and eliminate reliance on Eskom
This approach ensured business continuity during reticulation maintenance, pump servicing, and future expansion – without locking the farm into rigid infrastructure.
SBS Tanks’ installation methodology played a key role in project success. The modular tanks were assembled efficiently on site, with minimal disruption to ongoing farm operations. View our Agri range of tanks here.
The design allowed Andre to secure large volumes of water storage without the extended downtime typically associated with traditional dam construction, helping him maintain irrigation reliability during critical growing cycles.
The results were immediate and measurable. Following the commissioning of Phase 1 in 2023:
• 22% reduction in electricity spend, driven by improved water availability and optimized pumping cycles
• Approximately 28% annual water savings compared to open dams – equivalent to around 2,110 mm of evaporation loss avoided per year
• No post-storage water treatment or continuous quality intervention required
• Faster project execution and commissioning helped ensure crops reached export markets on schedule
• Improved irrigation reliability reduced operational risk during load-shedding events
Beyond the numbers, the system delivered something less tangible but equally valuable: peace of mind. Andre now operates with confidence that water security will not be the limiting factor in his farm’s productivity or future growth.
What sets this project apart is not just the infrastructure installed, but the flexibility it provides. The SBS Tanks system supports Klein Ezeljacht Farm’s long-term vision – enabling expansion, adaptation, and resilience in an increasingly volatile operating environment.
By combining water storage, energy planning, and scalable design, the project demonstrates how modern agricultural infrastructure can support both sustainability and profitability.
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SBS Tanks is Africa’s leading manufacturer and supplier of modular steel panel water storage tanks fitted with an internal liquid storage liner. With offices in Durban, Johannesburg & Cape Town, our factory services all provinces within South Africa and the SADC region. With ISO accreditation (ISO 45001 and ISO 9001) collaborating with a trusted supplier like SBS Tanks, can offer professional advice and a variety of premium tank alternatives to satisfy your various needs.
Contact one of our sales agents today or simply Request a quote here.
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Case Study Snapshot
Location: Overberg, Western Cape
Industry: Commercial Agriculture (Export Fruit)
Application: Irrigation water storage
System Installed: Modular SBS steel reservoirs (500 kL & 750 kL)
Key Outcomes:
22% reduction in electricity costs
28% reduction in water loss versus open dams
No EIA or post-storage treatment required
Scalable, future-ready infrastructure
© SBS Holdings 2026
