Managing Water Pollution In Lagos: Strategies And Solutions

Lagos is surrounded by water, but only 10% of the population have a piped water supply that has been treated. The remaining 90% rely on wells or sink boreholes to reach underground water supplies or buy water from street vendors. The groundwater around Lagos is often contaminated by saltwater from the lagoon, agricultural runoffs, and industrial waste. Sewage and saltwater from the lagoon also pollute the surface water that is transported into rivers and the lagoon via open drains. This has led to an increase in the number of diagnosed cases of diseases such as dysentery and cholera. To manage water pollution in Lagos, there needs to be better water governance and a stronger legislative framework to hold polluting actors accountable.

The risk of extracting contaminated water from wells and boreholes

The current lack of access to safe and affordable water in Lagos can be attributed to budgetary provisions and inadequate infrastructure. Due to industrial concentration, population increases resulting from immigration, and unchecked water management, the risk of extracting contaminated water from wells and boreholes (groundwater) demands urgent attention. The groundwater around Lagos is often contaminated by saltwater from the lagoon, agricultural runoffs, and industrial waste.

A lack of effective water governance and legislative framework means that polluting actors are not checked. These issues not only affect citizens' health but also impact climate conditions, livelihoods, ecosystems, and the state economy.

To address these challenges, efforts must be made to enhance political and community involvement and strengthen the legal framework for better service delivery and inclusiveness. The goal is to create a safer, healthier Lagos, with equitable access to clean water for all its residents.

Groundwater pollution by saltwater from the lagoon

Lagos is surrounded by water, but only 10% of the population has access to clean, piped water. The remaining 90% rely on wells or sink boreholes to reach underground water supplies or buy water from street vendors. Groundwater in Lagos is often contaminated by saltwater from the lagoon, agricultural run-offs, and industrial waste. This problem will increase with sea level rise.

To manage groundwater pollution by saltwater from the lagoon, Lagos needs to address the lack of effective water governance and legislative framework. This means holding polluting actors accountable and taking steps to prevent saltwater from contaminating groundwater.

One way to do this is by improving the infrastructure for water management, such as implementing water treatment plants to extract river water instead of relying solely on wells and boreholes. Additionally, efforts should be made to enhance political and community involvement in water management and strengthen the legal framework to ensure better service delivery and inclusiveness.

By taking these steps, Lagos can work towards creating a safer and healthier environment for its citizens, protecting their health, climate conditions, livelihoods, ecosystems, and the state economy.

Sewage and surface water pollution

Lagos is surrounded by water, but only 10% of the population has access to clean, piped water. The remaining 90% rely on wells or sink boreholes to reach underground water supplies or buy water from street vendors.

The groundwater around Lagos is often contaminated by saltwater from the lagoon, agricultural runoffs, and industrial waste. Sewage is a significant contributor to water pollution in Lagos. Groundwater and surface water can both be polluted by sewage. Open drains transport surface runoff into rivers and the lagoon, and this surface water is often polluted by sewage.

The number of diagnosed cases of diseases such as dysentery and cholera has increased in Lagos. This can be attributed to the lack of access to safe and affordable water, which can be boiled down to budgetary provisions and inadequate infrastructure. Industrial concentration, population increases, and unchecked water management also play a role in the risk of extracting contaminated water.

To manage water pollution in Lagos, there needs to be better water governance and a stronger legislative framework to hold polluting actors accountable. Efforts should be made to enhance political and community involvement and strengthen the legal framework for better service delivery and inclusiveness.

Industrial waste and agricultural runoffs

Lagos is surrounded by water, but only 10% of the population has access to treated piped water. The remaining 90% rely on wells or sink boreholes to reach underground water supplies or buy water from street vendors.

The groundwater around Lagos is often contaminated by saltwater from the lagoon, agricultural runoffs, and industrial waste. Open drains transport surface runoff into rivers and the lagoon, and this surface water is often polluted by sewage.

Agricultural runoff is contaminated water that flows off farms or fields. It can contain pesticides, fertilisers, and manure, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. To manage agricultural runoff, farmers can implement practices such as conservation tillage, which involves leaving crop residue on the field after harvesting to reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff. They can also create buffer strips of vegetation along waterways to filter out pollutants before they reach water bodies.

Industrial waste is another major source of water pollution in Lagos. Industrial facilities can release a range of pollutants into water bodies, including heavy metals, chemicals, and oil. To manage industrial waste, stricter regulations and enforcement are needed to ensure that industries properly treat their wastewater before releasing it into the environment. Industries should also be encouraged to adopt more sustainable practices, such as using less toxic chemicals and implementing water recycling and reuse systems.

In addition to regulatory measures, community involvement and political commitment are crucial for effectively managing water pollution in Lagos. By engaging with industrial polluters and other stakeholders, Adedayo from The Hague Academy's Multilevel Water Governance course aims to enhance political and community involvement in water management. This collaborative approach can lead to long-lasting changes and a safer, healthier Lagos.

Lack of effective water governance and legislative framework

Lagos has a significant problem with water pollution, with 90% of the population relying on wells or sink boreholes to reach underground water supplies or street vendors. The groundwater around Lagos is often contaminated by saltwater from the lagoon, agricultural runoffs, and industrial waste.

There is a lack of effective water governance and legislative framework in Lagos, which means that polluting actors are not checked. This has resulted in an increase in diagnosed cases of diseases such as dysentery and cholera.

The budgetary provisions and inadequate infrastructure are the main causes of the lack of access to safe and affordable water. Due to industrial concentration, population increases resulting from immigration, and unchecked water management, the risk of extracting contaminated water from wells and boreholes (groundwater) demands urgent attention.

To address this issue, there needs to be a strengthening of the legal framework for better service delivery and inclusiveness. This can be done through the exchange of ideas and information, enhancing political and community involvement, and bringing together everyone who has a role in water management to make long-lasting changes.

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