Orange Grove Greek Old Age Home left without water for five days after sudden disconnection
Staff at the Greek Old Age Home in Orange Grove were forced to carry and warm water for elderly residents after the facility was left without water for five days following an unexpected disconnection.
The Greek Old Age Home in Orange Grove was left without water for five days after the supply was disconnected without warning on February 26, leaving staff scrambling to care for 35 elderly residents.
Chairperson Daniela Chrysostomou said officials arrived at the facility with a notice and immediately cut the water supply. “They came and cut off the water without any prior notice or phone call. They just showed up with a notice in hand and turned it off.”
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Chrysostomou said management immediately checked the organisation’s account after being told the disconnection was due to non-payment. “Looking at the account, we don’t owe anything.” She added that the non-profit organisation relies heavily on donations to operate.
The facility cares for 35 residents, many of whom require constant care and hygiene support. Chrysostomou said the water outage created serious operational challenges, particularly because several residents are incontinent and require frequent laundry and cleaning. “How do you take care of an elderly person who is incontinent if you deny them water? It’s unacceptable.”
According to Chrysostomou, staff had to fill buckets of water from the JoJo tank, and heat it to wash residents while also managing cooking, drinking water, and laundry without a running supply.
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She added that the organisation contacted a ward councillor and repeatedly attempted to resolve the matter with authorities. A water tanker was reportedly promised but never arrived, and emails sent to officials went unanswered.
Johannesburg Water spokesperson Phakamani Ndlovu said the payment for the account was made on February 28, which fell on a weekend. “The payment reflected on Monday, March 2. Upon confirmation of payment, the reconnection was carried out on March 2.”
Chrysostomou said the experience highlighted the vulnerability of elderly residents, and the importance of maintaining essential services at care facilities.
“Water is a basic human right, especially for elderly people who rely on us for dignity and care.”
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