​The Gauteng Department of Health would like to notify the public that due to various challenges experienced by water utilities, Rand Water and Joburg Water, some of our health facilities, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital (RMMCH) and Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH) in Johannesburg and Pholosong Hospital in Ekurhuleni are experiencing water supply interruptions. 

Helen Joseph and surrounding areas started experiencing lower water pressure as of Wednesday, 13 September as a result of Dunkeld Reservoir low water levels. The areas that are affected include Accident and Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and the various Wards. 

The facility management is closely monitoring the situation and have put in place measures to divert Priority 1 (emergency and critical) and Priority 2 (urgent but stable) patients to other facilities when necessary. 

Rahima Moosa has been having inconsistent water supply as of 6 September due to Hursthill 1 reservoir being critically affected.

Johannesburg Water has committed to dispatch water tankers in the two health facilities to minimise the impact on services. In addition, technicians from the Department of Infrastructure Development are currently monitoring the water level in the hospital tanks while waiting for water tankers. 

Pholosong hospital started experiencing water challenges on Thursday, 14 September, due to Rand Water’s Mapleton pump station not functioning. The hospital water reservoirs very low which means the main reservoirs do not have sufficient water to pump into the feeder tank which then supplies the hospital. 

The hospital has since put measures which include the City of Ekurhuleni providing water tankers, hospital diversion to afford the hospital intermittent relief on all patients especially Priority 1 patients and high-risk maternity and postponing elective surgeries. 

The department would like to apologise to the patients and public for the inconvenience that has been caused by the water challenge experienced by the water utilities. Health facilities, even with contingency measures in place still rely on constant supply of water from the relevant authorities to carry out health services. 

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Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health