Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s East Wing faced intermittent low water pressure this week after a diaphragm valve beneath the CWMH Auditorium became stuck, blocking water flow into the hospital’s piping system. The Health Ministry, in collaboration with plumbers from the Water Authority of Fiji, confirmed the fault lies in the hospital’s internal plumbing rather than the national water network.
The issue first appeared last Monday and led to repeated pressure drops in the days that followed. To keep essential services running, WAF carted water to refill hospital tanks, and normal pressure was restored by Wednesday, with the hospital’s 30,000-liter standby reservoir filled to capacity. The valve in question was installed in 1994 by Japanese contractors and had not caused problems prior to this incident.
The Ministry apologized to patients for the inconvenience and thanked WAF for their prompt assistance. Context from prior coverage shows CWMH has historically relied on emergency reserves and water trucking to avert disruptions, underscoring the need for resilient hospital water systems and ongoing investment in back-up capabilities to safeguard patient care during emergencies. Officials continue to monitor the situation and pursue internal improvements to prevent a recurrence.
What this means for patients and staff
– Staff will continue targeted distribution to maintain essential services while internal repairs proceed.
– Visitors and patients may notice ongoing but controlled adjustments as the system stabilizes and replenishment efforts continue.
– The episode highlights the importance of robust infrastructure and coordinated planning between the hospital, the Ministry of Health, and WAF to prevent future outages.
What’s next
– Officials say they will pursue a permanent solution that addresses internal hospital plumbing maintenance and legacy infrastructure.
– Ongoing monitoring and regular refill of backup tanks are expected as improvements are implemented to reduce the risk of future disruptions.
Editor’s notes for added value
– Consider a sidebar explaining how hospital water systems interact with backup power and other critical infrastructure.
– Provide progress updates on internal plumbing improvements and any further water deliveries as the situation evolves.
– A brief explainer on the valve’s role and typical maintenance schedules for aging hospital infrastructure could help readers understand the broader context.
Summary
An internal diaphragm valve fault caused intermittent low water pressure at CWMH, with normal network pressure confirmed and immediate water relief provided by WAF. Normal pressure returned after a few days, and authorities are pursuing long-term internal repairs to strengthen hospital water resilience. The event illustrates the ongoing collaboration between the hospital, Health Ministry, and WAF to ensure continuous patient care amid infrastructure challenges.
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