Oke-Popo residents face daily struggle for clean water amidst scarcity and high costs

Residents of Oke-Popo, a densely populated community on Lagos Island, are grappling with a severe lack of access to clean and affordable water. Many families depend on expensive water vendors and unreliable borehole sources, which often yield salty and unsafe water. Muhammed Ishola, a resident, highlighted the long-standing issue of scarce and often salty water, noting that privately sourced water is frequently discolored. The cost of water varies by floor level, with those on upper floors paying up to N4,000 for 14 kegs, significantly impacting household expenses. Another resident, Oluwaseyi Bello, recalled a time when tap water was readily available but now boreholes produce contaminated water, forcing residents to buy sachet water for cooking and drinking. An elderly widow, Alhaja Biliki, lamented the rising cost, stating that vendors prioritize wealthier customers, leaving low-income residents struggling. Water vendors, like Musa and Abdullahi Sani, profit from the scarcity, with some earning up to N25,000 daily by transporting water from Obalende. A community leader mentioned that philanthropists occasionally donate water, leading to rushes and long queues. Geologist Dr. Yusuf Jimoh explained that salty water in boreholes is due to Lagos Island's low-lying sedimentary environment, where boreholes often tap into saline or brackish aquifers instead of deeper freshwater layers. He emphasized the need for proper hydrogeological surveys and improved borehole design. Public he