Residents of Ikorodu and Alapere areas of Lagos State are grappling with inconsistent water supply and poor water quality, forcing many to rely on costly private sources for their daily needs.
Findings by reporters show that electricity reliability has a direct impact on water access in these communities, while persistent concerns over quality continue to drive dependence on sachet and bottled water.
The challenges persist despite significant investment by the Lagos State Government to improve potable water supply across the state.
Residents have, therefore, appealed to the government to intervene by providing public water supply in the affected areas.
Mr. John Taiwo, a cinematographer living in Ikorodu, described water as the “myth of life,” noting that availability in his home depends entirely on electricity.
“The only threat to my water supply is when the electricity distribution company doesn’t bring light and my tank runs out,” Taiwo told reporters.
He said he relies on electric pumping for all household water needs and treats the water before drinking it.
Iya Ibeji, a market woman in Ikorodu who uses water for grinding pepper and washing, said she pays a fee to access water in the market. She noted, however, that scarcity is common during power outages or when the community borehole dries up.
She added that she does not treat the water she uses but buys sachet water for drinking.
A teacher, Mr. Idris Ayeni, also in Ikorodu, said installing a borehole in his home solved his water challenges after the well he previously relied on dried up during the dry season.
“Making a borehole has been the best decision for my water supply. The water is good for drinking and has saved me a lot of cost. I no longer buy sachet water,” he said.
In Alapere, residents reported more serious quality concerns.
Mrs. Olaoti Omowunmi, a banker, described the water in her compound as “very bad,” saying she only uses it for toilet purposes.
“I buy 10 gallons of 25-litre water from a community borehole for ₦2,500, and it lasts for three to four days,” she said.
Omowunmi said she treats the water she uses for bathing, but relies on sachet water for drinking.
Another resident, Mr. Femi Ogungbe, a businessman, said he buys water because the supply in his compound is of poor quality. He said the water is often mixed with soil, making purchased water a safer option for household use.
Some residents, however, reported better conditions. Mrs. Janet Adeola said the borehole water in her compound is reliable and clean, and that she uses it for all household needs, though she has never tested its quality.
In the Alapere market, a trader said she buys two 25-litre kegs of water daily at ₦250 per keg for her business activities.
Overall findings show that water scarcity remains a significant challenge in both Ikorodu and Alapere, worsened by power outages and the dry-season depletion of wells. While some households depend on boreholes, many others rely on purchased water, with sachet water remaining the preferred option for drinking across both communities.
