Pholosong Hospital among hospitals affected by no water in Gauteng
Water interruptions have affected at least three hospitals.
Kwatsaduza – The Gauteng Department of Health notified the public that due to various challenges experienced by Rand Water and Joburg Water, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital (RMMCH), Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH) in Johannesburg and Pholosong Hospital in Tsakani are experiencing water supply interruptions.
HJH and the surrounding areas first experienced lower water pressure on September 13 due to the Dunkeld Reservoir’s low water levels. The areas affected include the accident and emergency department, ICU and various wards.
The facility management is monitoring the situation closely and has measures in place to divert Priority One (emergency and critical) and Priority Two (urgent but stable) patients to other facilities when necessary.
RMMCH has had an inconsistent water supply since September 6 because the Hursthill 1 reservoir was critically affected.
Johannesburg Water committed to dispatching water tankers to the two health facilities to minimise the impact on services.
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In addition, technicians from the Department of Infrastructure Development are monitoring the water levels in the hospital tanks while waiting for water tankers.
Pholosong Hospital first experienced water challenges on September 14 because Rand Water’s Mapleton pump station was not functioning.
The hospital water reservoirs are very low, meaning the main reservoirs do not have sufficient water to pump into the feeder tank, which then supplies the hospital.
The hospital has measures in place, like the CoE providing water tankers, hospital diversion to afford the hospital intermittent relief on all patients, especially Priority One patients and high-risk maternity, and postponing elective surgeries.
The department apologised to patients and the public for the inconvenience caused by the water challenges.
Even with contingency measures in place, health facilities still rely on a constant water supply from the relevant authorities to carry out health services.
