The Gauteng department of health has confirmed that a blockage in water supply to three of its hospitals in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni was stabilised at the weekend.
However, the problem is not completely resolved.
This after taps ran dry at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and at Pholosong Hospital last week.
Motalatale Modiba, spokesperson for the department, said the interruption in water supply was due to challenges experienced by water utilities including Rand Water, Joburg Water, and respective municipalities.
He said the supply of water at Rahima Moosa remains intermittent, adding that the healthcare facility is relying on water tankers and a borehole.
However, said Modiba, the clinical areas continue to render services to patients.
“The Helen Joseph Hospital has good water pressure. They are fed from an alternative line through the Brixton tower,” Modiba said in a statement on Monday.
“The situation improved over the weekend after the facility experienced challenges in the past week, where water tankers had to be deployed.”
He added that the Pholosong Hospital in Ekurhuleni started receiving water from the municipal supply line on Monday morning.
However, the healthcare facility is not yet receiving full water pressure.
The City of Ekurhuleni has since deployed roving water tankers to augment the supply from service providers that are contracted by the hospital.
In a joint statement, Rand Water and Joburg Water said reservoir levels remain at their lowest due to high consumption.
“Due to the system being integrated, even customers that are using [water] sparingly are being affected,” said Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo.
“High potable consumption may result in the collapse of the system, which will result in intermittent supply.”
Frustrated residents in close proximity to Rahima Moosa, who are affected by the water blockage, have expressed serious concerns.
Pearl Bindeman said: “The water outage is causing anxiety, stress and extra financial burden on already strained communities.
“We have to spend more on electricity and gas as water needs to be boiled for bathing and dishes, and we end up spending more money buying drinking water.
“Children are also affected, they cannot stay at school because it becomes a health risk when they have to use the toilets.”
Tasneem Ramalho shared Bindeman’s sentiments.
“We have been without water for several weeks. The situation is dire. We survive by the grace of God,” said Ramalho.
“The powers that be have no compassion because their lives continue without any hassle. Every day is a struggle. We have no recourse because our councillor is missing in action.”
Delores Williams added her voice, saying it is a human right to have clean and drinkable water.
“This situation is going on for three weeks. I am a pensioner, is it fair that our lives have been changed due to the government?”
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