Question NW3265 to the Minister of Health
03 November 2023 - NW3265
Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to his statement that his department will be prioritising funds to help with water storage infrastructure, following the rising infections at Gauteng hospitals due to the water crisis, (a)(i) in what way and (ii) in which period will his department be doing this and (b)(i) to what effect will the intervention take place and (ii) which areas, facilities and communities will be affected by this intervention?
Reply:
On the 19 September 2023, the Zuikerbosch water treatment plant had a breakdown caused by a power trip, which affected the production of water supply.
(a) Short-term temporary intervention should there be a similar crisis: (i)&(ii) water tankers are on standby to prevent health services being affected by such crisis. Some of the hospitals in Gauteng have reservoirs and some have boreholes as part of the back-up alternative in case there are similar crisis.
(b) Long-term permanent intervention: (i)&(ii) Rand Water is in the process of commissioning a new purification plant which will be impacting all health facilities within the City of Tshwane, the City of Ekurhuleni and the City of Johannesburg, among others. This plant is intending to deliver 150-million litres of potable water a day into Rand Water’s system, and by the end of 2024.
END.