“You’re Probably Drinking Shit Water,” Says Drainage Services Official at Stakeholders Forum
Lagos, Nigeria – August 6, 2025 – The Lagos State Government has issued a disturbing warning to residents of Lekki and surrounding coastal areas, stating that many boreholes in the area may be contaminated with human waste.
This alarming disclosure was made by Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, during a recent stakeholders’ engagement held in the state to address concerns on flooding, sanitation, and water safety.
“Everyone digging borehole within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water,’” Adegbite declared, emphasizing the dire consequences of unchecked groundwater contamination.
Health Risks Loom Over Borehole Users in Lekki
According to Adegbite, the high water table and unregulated disposal of waste in Lekki have combined to create a toxic underground ecosystem, where sewage and human waste seep into the water table, directly affecting household borehole water quality.
He said the failure to treat wastewater has led to this dangerous overlap, posing serious health risks such as waterborne diseases, bacterial infections, and long-term environmental damage.
“If we’re able to treat all the wastewater within this axis — which we have plans for — we should be able to eradicate any form of disease that may result from the current contamination,” he added.
Lagos Government’s Plans for Wastewater Treatment and Drainage
Adegbite assured residents that the state government is intensifying efforts to build wastewater treatment facilities across critical zones, especially in rapidly developing highbrow areas like Lekki, Ajah, and Ikoyi.
In addition to water quality concerns, he also spoke about the persistent flooding witnessed in Lagos, referencing the recent heavy rainfall, which occurred despite what should have been the August break — a period traditionally characterized by reduced rainfall.
“Yesterday, it rained heavily which is unusual. This is supposed to be the August break. But because of complex issues — urbanization, blocked drainages, climate change — we are still seeing intense rainfall,” Adegbite explained.
“Despite all we have committed financially, there is still a lot more to be done to tackle flooding across Lagos.”
Why the Lekki Axis Is Vulnerable
Lekki, known for its rapid urban expansion, high population density, and luxury estates, lacks adequate centralized sewage systems, forcing most households and businesses to rely on soakaway systems and boreholes.
However, due to poor regulation, proximity to the ocean, and inadequate urban drainage infrastructure, the risk of groundwater contamination is significantly high — a danger now confirmed by state authorities.
Public Health Experts Call for Urgent Action
Health experts have called on the state government to fast-track its wastewater management projects and urge residents to test and treat their borehole water before consumption. They are also advocating for stronger regulation of borehole drilling and public health education campaigns in vulnerable zones.
