The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and environmental sustainability through the strict enforcement of water quality and safety standards across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Mrs Oluwabukola Adeyemo, made this known during a community sensitisation and stakeholder engagement session held in Epe.
She warned that unsafe water practices pose serious health and environmental risks, stressing that such practices would no longer be tolerated by the state government.
Mrs Adeyemo said the engagement was organised to address the dangers associated with untreated water, indiscriminate borehole drilling, and poor hygiene practices, noting that effective regulation and stakeholder cooperation were critical in a rapidly growing megacity like Lagos.
She explained that although Lagos is surrounded by water, most available sources are unsafe for consumption without proper treatment due to high salt content, contamination, and the presence of heavy metals.
According to her, the increasing reliance on poorly sited boreholes has heightened the risk of waterborne diseases among residents.
She added that the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission regulates the activities of borehole drillers, sachet and bottled water producers, tanker operators, and other water service providers to ensure public safety.
Mrs Adeyemo urged stakeholders to embrace compliance, stressing that water quality assurance should be treated as a shared responsibility rather than an optional requirement.
Written by Ngozi Okpala