Lagos water safety measures step up as government warns against untreated water, unsafe boreholes, and poor hygiene threatening health and environment

The Lagos State Government has intensified oversight of water production and distribution, warning that unsafe water practices present growing threats to public health and the environment.

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The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), Oluwabukola Adeyemo, issued the warning during a community sensitisation and stakeholder engagement in Epe.

Adeyemo explained that the engagement aimed to highlight the dangers of untreated water, indiscriminate borehole drilling, and poor hygiene, stressing that regulation and cooperation are vital in a fast-growing megacity like Lagos.

“This programme is not merely a regulatory exercise; it is a collaborative platform designed to strengthen partnerships, deepen understanding, and foster responsible practices across the entire water value chain,” she said.

Despite Lagos being surrounded by water, Adeyemo noted that most sources are unsafe for consumption without proper treatment due to salt content, contaminants, and heavy metals. She emphasised that reliance on poorly sited boreholes has heightened the risk of waterborne diseases.

“Water is life, but unsafe water is a silent threat,” Adeyemo said. “The physical appearance of water does not guarantee its safety or potability, and poor handling and inadequate treatment expose citizens to diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea.”

She added that safe water would protect public health and ease pressure on medical facilities, noting that Lagos residents require approximately 135 litres of water per person daily.

Beyond health concerns, Adeyemo warned about the environmental consequences of unregulated groundwater extraction, including land subsidence and damage to roads and buildings.

“Excessive and unregulated abstraction of groundwater can lead to land subsidence, increased flooding risks, and permanent damage to our aquifers. Once an aquifer is damaged, it cannot easily be restored,” she stated.

The LSWRC regulates borehole drillers, sachet and bottled water producers, tanker operators, and other providers to ensure public safety, urging stakeholders to view compliance and quality as a duty rather than a choice.

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Adeyemo noted that under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state government, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, is expanding access to pipe-borne water through rehabilitation and expansion of waterworks across Lagos.