Colonial War Memorial Hospital faces internal water pressure issue with quick coordination underway for a lasting fix
The Colonial War Memorial Hospital experienced low water pressure this week, and investigations have confirmed the source of the problem lies with the hospital’s internal plumbing rather than the national water network managed by the Water Authority of Fiji.
Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau stated that tests by the Water Authority of Fiji showed normal pressure on the network side, and the fault is within the hospital’s facilities. He emphasized that the hospital’s maintenance team and the Ministry of Health are responsible for addressing the internal infrastructure, while WAF supports efforts to prevent a recurrence and explore long-term solutions.
I’ve instructed the water authority to look at what used to be there before when the Public Works Department was responsible for the maintenance. We are working closely with them, and that is an ongoing, in-progress, permanent solution that we are pursuing, the minister added.
WAF Acting Chief Executive Seru Soderberg said the authority received the initial complaint on Tuesday and immediately deployed its operations team. Although network pressure remained normal, the issue persisted internally, prompting WAF to deliver 55,000 litres of water as a temporary relief measure. A subsequent report noted a total lack of water supply in certain areas, prompting continued action.
On-site checks confirmed network pressure at 22 metres, meeting WAF’s standards, but hospital plumbers later identified internal plumbing faults. Rectification works were carried out the same day. To protect critical services, WAF delivered an additional 70,000 litres of water by 6pm and continued deliveries into the evening. The authority stressed its ongoing commitment to supporting the hospital and urged the facility to prioritise internal plumbing improvements to prevent future disruptions.
Officials from the Ministry of Health were sought for comment on monitoring and maintenance of hospital plumbing systems.
Context from previous coverage shows CWMH has faced water supply challenges in the past, with emergency reserves and water trucking commonly used to avert service disruptions and support essential operations. The recurring theme underscores the need for resilient hospital water systems and sustained investments in back-up capabilities to safeguard patient care during emergencies.
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 situation 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.
Summary
A shortfall in water pressure at the colonial war memorial hospital was traced to internal plumbing, with network pressure found to be normal. Rapid water deliveries and on-site repairs helped maintain critical services, and authorities are pursuing a long-term, internal-facility solution in partnership with WAF and the Ministry of Health. The episode reinforces the broader need for resilient water systems in healthcare facilities and proactive maintenance to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
Additional notes for editors
– Consider a sidebar explaining how hospital water systems interact with backup power and other critical infrastructure.
– Include updates on the progress of internal plumbing improvements and any further water deliveries as the situation evolves.
Leave a comment