Lagos State has ordered borehole operators to obtain official approval before drilling wells or drawing groundwater, saying unlicensed facilities could be shut down and their operators prosecuted.
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO, said uncontrolled drilling and water extraction threaten underground aquifers. It warned that such activity can contaminate groundwater, contribute to land subsidence and place wider water supplies at risk.
Quick facts
- Borehole drilling and groundwater extraction require LASWARCO permits in Lagos State.
- Unauthorised operators face sealing of their facilities and possible legal action.
- Groundwater concerns have been particularly acute in Lekki because of inadequate wastewater treatment.
- Lagos introduced rules governing borehole drilling and groundwater use in 2022.
- The commission has asked residents and community leaders to report illegal operations.
The enforcement warning follows mounting concern over groundwater quality in Lekki, where residents have previously been alerted to the risk of drinking polluted water linked to weak wastewater-treatment systems.
In August 2025, Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary at the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, warned that poor wastewater handling could expose people in the area to contaminated supplies.
At a meeting with stakeholders, Adegbite called for effective wastewater treatment to curb further pollution of underground water and reduce the transmission of waterborne illnesses.
Lagos State put its borehole and groundwater rules in place in 2022, aiming to limit pollution and support long-term management of underground water reserves.
Funke Adepoju, then executive secretary of LASWARCO, said the framework applied to groundwater withdrawal, use, supply and distribution.
In a Facebook statement issued on Thursday, LASWARCO said the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017 gives the agency authority over borehole construction, groundwater abstraction and water-supply operations.
LASWARCO Executive Secretary Oluwabukola Adeyemo said households, businesses and other organisations must secure the appropriate permits before beginning borehole drilling or groundwater extraction.
“Drilling or abstracting groundwater without LASWARCO authorisation is illegal and punishable under the Law,” Adeyemo said.
She said the regulator would close sites operating without approval and pursue prosecution of those found responsible.
Adeyemo urged residents and local community leaders to help enforce the rules by notifying the commission of unlawful borehole drilling and unauthorised groundwater withdrawal.
