L-R Mrs. Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo Executive Secretary Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Hon.Wasiu Dehinsilu VC chairman Ikosi Ejirin LCDA and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Regulation Hon. Bode olaniyan at the Safe drinking Water Sensitization for EPe Division
By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has warned residents and water service providers against the dangers of consuming untreated water and engaging in indiscriminate groundwater abstraction, stressing that unsafe water practices pose serious public health and environmental risks.
The Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs. Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo, gave the warning on Monday during a one-day Community Sensitization and Public Engagement with water service stakeholders held at the Epe Local Government Secretariat.
Addressing community leaders, borehole drillers, sachet and bottled water producers, tanker operators and other stakeholders, Adeyemo described water as “life”, but cautioned that untreated or poorly handled water could become a “silent threat” capable of triggering waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and diarrhoea.
She noted that although Lagos is surrounded by water, much of it is unsafe for direct consumption due to salt content, contaminants, heavy metals and other minerals, making proper treatment imperative.
“Because of limited access to pipe-borne water, many residents rely on alternative sources such as boreholes and shallow wells, often sited dangerously close to septic tanks and soakaways. These practices expose communities to serious health risks,” she said.
Adeyemo explained that the physical appearance of water does not determine its safety, adding that Lagos’ daily water requirement stands at about 135 litres per person, multiplied by over 20 million residents.
She said ensuring access to potable water that is safe, reliable, affordable and within acceptable standards—whether from public or private sources—remains a critical responsibility of government and stakeholders.
The LASWARCO boss also raised concerns over the environmental impact of unregulated groundwater abstraction, warning that excessive drilling could lead to land subsidence, soil instability, infrastructure damage and increased flooding risks.
“Land subsidence caused by over-extraction of groundwater and abandoned boreholes is a growing challenge in parts of Lagos. Once an aquifer is damaged, it cannot easily be restored,” she said.
Adeyemo explained that the sensitisation programme was designed to enlighten stakeholders on LASWARCO’s regulatory mandate and promote responsible practices across the water value chain, including proper handling, quality production and sustainable groundwater use.
She said the commission’s activities align with the state government’s THEMES+ Agenda, particularly the ‘Health and Environment’ pillar, as well as the Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation and the Lagos State Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, is making significant investments to expand access to pipe-borne water across the state.
She cited the recent commissioning of the Akilo Water Works in Ogba, with a production capacity of one million gallons per day, ongoing rehabilitation of Adiyan Phase 1, and the nearing completion of Adiyan Phase 2, expected to produce 70 million gallons daily.
According to her, water works serving the Epe axis, including facilities at Agric T-Junction and Jakande with combined installed capacity of five million gallons per day, are also under consideration for rehabilitation.
Adeyemo stressed that regulation alone would not guarantee water safety, urging stakeholders to embrace ethical practices and voluntary compliance.
“Every sachet or bottle of water produced, every borehole drilled and every tanker delivery made has a direct impact on public health. Quality is not a luxury; it is a duty,” she said.
She added that LASWARCO remains committed to stakeholder engagement, enforcement of standards and partnerships with private investors to bridge infrastructure gaps caused by high energy costs, pipeline vandalism and water losses.
Calling for collective responsibility, Adeyemo urged communities to collaborate with government in achieving sustainable water supply targets and safeguarding the health of present and future generations.
“Together, we can ensure that water in Lagos State is safe to drink, responsibly produced and sustainably managed,” she said.
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