Johannesburg — The Gauteng Health Department is aware of the water challenges currently experienced at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital due to changes in the water system.
In a statement, the department said Johannesburg Water had implemented changes to the water systems, which resulted in low water pressure on Monday morning. An investigation found that Johannesburg Water had cut the supply to the facility’s main water tanks last Friday.
Hospital management implemented measures to prioritise emergency cases and divert elective surgeries to nearby facilities until the challenges were resolved.
“In an effort to ensure that patient care is not compromised, the Department has secured the supply of water from Johannesburg Water and bottles of water, which were delivered overnight,” Department spokesperson, Khutso Rabothata, said.
He added that engagements with Johannesburg Water are ongoing to find a solution, and the department regrets any inconvenience caused to patients and staff.
The department said contingencies are in place to ensure health facilities have a consistent water supply from relevant authorities, and the department remains committed to ensuring quality healthcare for all its citizens.
“The safety and well-being of our patients is our top priority, and we will continue to work diligently to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible,” Rabothata said.
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital is diverting all elective surgeries to nearby facilities due to its uncertain water supply. #QuestionThinkAct #TheSouthAfricanMorning #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/nGyG4UMgRz
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 17, 2024
Johannesburg Water released a statement and confirmed the hospital was affected by the Parktown 2 reservoir supply challenges.
It said technical teams at the hospital were trying to find solutions to boost the supply as the reservoir was “critically low” due to a combination of poor supply and high demand.
“Joburg Water’s teams continue investigating the cause for the poor supply and addressing airlocks. The investigations require considerable time,” the entity said.
It said while the reservoir has been reconfigured to boost the supply, there was no estimated time for restoration.
It also provided an update on the Berea and Dunkeld reservoirs, saying he first had declined but is supplying fairly while the latter is running on “critically low to empty”. Both have been affected by the Parktown 2 reservoir’s performance.
Johannesburg Water working around the clock to boost Charlotte Maxeke Hospital & areas impacted by Parktown 2 Reservoir challenges
Areas supplied by the #Parktown2, #Dunkeld, and #Berea reservoirs: https://t.co/P75OT94P9C#JoburgUpdates ^N pic.twitter.com/py6MN57dYh
— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 17, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
