Elim hospital faces unrelenting water crisis

The Health Department in Limpopo says water supply issues continue to plague Elim Hospital outside Louis Trichardt. The boreholes drilled to address the facility’s water crisis have now dried up, compounding the longstanding problem.

According to department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, groundwater at the hospital is also depleted. He stated on Monday, “Communities have illegally connected themselves to the pipelines leading to the hospital from the boreholes outside, rendering them completely ineffective to the hospital, just as is the bulk water main line from the dam.”

Elim Hospital has grappled with water shortages since last year, prompting families to voice concerns over the dire situation on social media. The wider Vhembe District Municipality faces a severe water crisis, leading the Water and Sanitation Minister to deploy a team to find permanent solutions.

In the interim, Shikwambana said the municipality is supplying 8-10 water tankers to the hospital daily. However, he acknowledged, “The current tanker situation is far from perfect. It remains the only temporary solution to keep the hospital operational.”

The department is urging stakeholders’ understanding and support as parties work toward a long-term, sustainable water access plan for Elim Hospital. Shikwambana added, “All involved actively work to ensure the hospital has reliable future water supply.”

Hospitals require consistent, sufficient water for critical operations. Elim’s unrelenting crisis, despite borehole drilling and tanker stopgaps, underscores infrastructure deficiencies plaguing the region. Authorities are seeking solutions across government levels as the water emergency persists.