The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has partnered with Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to sensitise stakeholders on safe water hygiene, sanitation, and regulatory compliance across communities.
Epe Insights reports that the engagement formed part of the Lagos State Government’s renewed push to tighten oversight of water production and distribution amid rising public health and environmental concerns linked to unsafe water practices.
Speaking at the one-day sensitisation programme, the Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo, warned that untreated water sources and indiscriminate borehole drilling remain major contributors to water-borne diseases in Lagos.
She explained that the initiative was designed to promote collaboration, strengthen understanding of water regulations, and encourage responsible practices across the water value chain in a rapidly expanding megacity.
Adeyemo noted that although Lagos is surrounded by water, most available sources are unsafe for direct consumption due to salinity, contaminants, and heavy metals, making proper treatment non-negotiable.
“Water may look clean but still be dangerous,” she said, stressing that poor handling and inadequate treatment expose residents to illnesses such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea.
Beyond health risks, she cautioned that unregulated groundwater extraction could lead to land subsidence, flooding, and permanent damage to aquifers, with long-term consequences for infrastructure and the environment.
The LASWARCO boss added that the commission regulates borehole drillers, sachet and bottled water producers, tanker operators, and other service providers to protect public safety, urging stakeholders to prioritise compliance.
She also disclosed that the state government is expanding access to pipe-borne water through the rehabilitation and expansion of major waterworks, including Akilo, Adiyan Phases 1 and 2, and planned upgrades in Epe.
Officials of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a clean, safe, and sustainable water supply for residents through cooperation with regulatory authorities.
