Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary for the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources in Lagos State, recently raised alarming concerns regarding the safety of borehole water in the Lekki area. He stated that residents drilling boreholes there are likely consuming contaminated water, which he referred to as “shit water.”
During a stakeholders meeting, Adegbite explained that the pervasive contamination of boreholes poses significant health risks to the community. He emphasized that untreated wastewater contributes to these dangers and that proper treatment is essential to mitigate potential diseases arising from such conditions.
Adegbite outlined the government’s plans to implement wastewater treatment solutions in Lekki, which he believes could effectively eliminate health risks associated with contaminated water. He reiterated the urgency of these initiatives, stating that addressing wastewater management is critical for public health.
In addition to the water quality concerns, Adegbite discussed the broader issue of flooding in Lagos State. He noted that recent heavy rains, which occurred despite it being the usual August break, have highlighted the complexities of managing urban drainage. Adegbite acknowledged that while substantial efforts have been made to combat flooding, much work remains to be done to ensure the state is better equipped to handle such weather events in the future.
