Lagos borehole warning draws opposition as coalition seeks clarity on household use
Water regulator threatens action against unauthorised drilling, while civil society groups cite domestic-use exemptions and oppose residential closures.
A coalition of civil society organisations, community groups and trade unions has asked Lagos State’s water regulator to clarify how its warning against unauthorised boreholes applies to households.
The Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition, known as OWORAC, said it would pursue legal action and public mobilisation if authorities attempted to seal domestic boreholes.
Premium Times reported that the coalition issued its statement on Wednesday, November 4, following an enforcement warning from the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO.
Regulator cites environmental concerns
LASWARCO said people and organisations drilling boreholes or extracting groundwater must obtain the necessary authorisation, according to Lagos Television’s report.
The commission warned that unregulated extraction could contribute to groundwater contamination, land subsidence and pressure on the state’s water resources. It said facilities operating without required approvals could be sealed and offenders prosecuted.
The warning has prompted questions about the distinction between household water supply and commercial extraction. The material reviewed does not establish that Lagos has imposed a blanket ban on residential boreholes.
Coalition cites household exemptions
OWORAC argues that the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017 exempts boreholes used for household purposes from licensing requirements.
According to Independent’s report, the coalition cited Section 253(1), concerning wells and boreholes in residential premises, and Section 259(2), which it said distinguishes domestic use from other purposes.
The groups said the regulator’s public warning had failed to explain those distinctions. They also argued that many residents depend on privately provided water because public supply is inadequate.
Permit and licence requirements remain unclear
LASWARCO’s published borehole-permit application form includes an “Individual Domestic Borehole” category. IDNN did not establish the form’s current operational status or how it relates to the licensing exemptions cited by the coalition.
The material reviewed did not clarify whether separate drilling, construction or safety approvals apply to household boreholes.
As of IDNN’s November 6 source check, no domestic-borehole closure under the reported warning had been independently verified. No direct LASWARCO response addressing the coalition’s interpretation of the domestic-use provisions was located in the material reviewed.
