For the past few years, the picturesque Brombil Reservoir, hidden in the middle of the Welsh Margam Mountain, captured the hearts of many when it was up for sale. The 200 year old reservoir, accessible only by walking, became popular on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many couldn’t stop admiring the property for its breathtaking beauty. Initially listed for £75,000 (approximately Rs 79 Lakh), but the property was withdrawn from the market. Surprisingly, it resurfaced just an hour later at a more reasonable price, which was £30,000 (approximately Rs 31 Lakh). Finally, the reservoir found a new owner and the individual purchased the land for a much lower price, £15,000 (approximately Rs 15 Lakh).
Meanwhile, the reservoir faced challenges as its viral fame led to traffic and litter issues in the area. Looking at the seriousness, local authorities discouraged visitors from visiting the reservoir. Samantha Price, a representative from Watts & Morgan who managed the sale of the Brombil Reservoir, revealed an interesting detail about owning a reservoir.
According to her, the owner of a reservoir is required to conduct a structural surveyor’s report every 10 years. Explaining the reason to the BBC, she stated, “Brombil is actually high risk, because it is above residential units, so it’s quite important that those items on that report are done within the set criteria. You’ve got to be a certain type of person to own it, you’ve got to work on it when the time comes. Once it goes through the auction house, you might get investors from London, who would think nothing of spending £30,000, that’s the guide price. They might just buy it and sit on it for a bit.”
As reported by Welsh Online, the reservoir, built in the early 20th century to provide water to the local steel industry, had become a popular destination among hikers, cyclists and fishing lovers. Spread approximately 3.318 acres, including a pond of around 1.105 acres, the reservoir can be found within Margam Mountain. Accessible only through a public pathway, however, its popularity has also faced challenges, as 17 individuals in May 2021 were fined.
Welsh Water had even issued warnings against swimming in the Brombil Reservoir due to several risks. Algae presence, extremely cold water and unseen dangers beneath the surface, are some of the reasons to refrain from swimming in this particular lake.
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