Lagos Cautions Residents Against Consuming Unsafe Water

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen the regulation of water production and distribution, warning that unsafe water practices are increasingly endangering public health and the environment across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Oluwabukola Adeyemo, gave the warning during a one-day community sensitisation and stakeholder engagement on water services held in Epe.

Adeyemo said the initiative was aimed at addressing the risks associated with untreated water, indiscriminate borehole drilling, and poor hygiene practices, stressing that effective regulation and stakeholder cooperation are essential in a rapidly expanding megacity like Lagos.

She described the programme as a collaborative platform intended to build partnerships, improve understanding, and encourage responsible practices throughout the water value chain. Adeyemo explained that although Lagos is surrounded by water, most available sources are not safe for consumption without proper treatment due to salinity, contamination, and the presence of heavy metals. She noted that the growing dependence on poorly located boreholes has heightened the risk of waterborne diseases.

“Water is life, but unsafe water is a silent danger,” she said, adding that the appearance of water does not determine its safety. According to her, poor handling and inadequate treatment expose residents to illnesses such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea. She added that access to safe water would not only safeguard public health but also ease pressure on already overstretched healthcare facilities, noting that Lagos residents require an estimated 135 litres of water per person daily.

Beyond health risks, Adeyemo warned of the environmental impact of unregulated groundwater extraction, including land subsidence, increased flooding, and damage to roads and buildings. She cautioned that once aquifers are compromised, they are difficult to restore.

She explained that the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission oversees the activities of borehole drillers, sachet and bottled water producers, tanker operators, and other water service providers to ensure public safety, urging stakeholders to treat compliance and quality standards as a responsibility rather than an option.

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