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Nelson Mandela Bay asks for water tests at St Albans prison

Published

The municipality says its routine monitoring shows no incidents of compromised water quality in St Albans, but warns this does not prove the water is safe at every point of use in the facility. It wants accredited testing of samples.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality asks the Department of Public Works to arrange the accredited testing. The department maintains the private pipeline and storage tanks that serve the facility. The municipality made the call after concerns were raised about the safety of drinking water there.

Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe called for cooperation among the relevant authorities. She said: "Protecting public health is a shared responsibility, and the priority must remain the safety and wellbeing of everyone who depends on this water supply".

Key facts

Who
Babalwa Lobishe (Executive Mayor, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality); Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (municipality calling for testing); Department of Public Works (party responsible for maintaining the private pipeline and storage tanks…)
What
The municipality says its routine monitoring records show no incidents of compromised water quality at St Albans, but it warns this is not conclusive for every point of consumption. It asks the Department of Public Works, which maintains the private pipeline and storage tanks, to arrange accredited testing of water samples from the facility.
When
26 October 2026
Where
St Albans Correctional Facility, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape
Status
Reported

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