Lagos State is strengthening oversight of borehole drilling and groundwater extraction
The Lagos State Government has warned residents, property owners and borehole operators against unauthorised groundwater extraction, threatening to seal facilities and prosecute offenders who fail to obtain the required approvals from the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO).
The warning, issued by the commission's Executive Secretary, Oluwabukola Khadijah Adeyemo, follows concerns about indiscriminate borehole drilling and groundwater abstraction across the state.
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The government said unregulated drilling could contaminate underground water, contribute to land subsidence and threaten the long-term availability of safe water for Lagos residents.
The enforcement position has implications for property developers, landlords, estate managers, commercial property operators and borehole contractors who rely on groundwater to supply residential and business premises.
Lagos Government Cites Environmental and Public Health Risks
LASWARCO said it had observed unauthorised borehole drilling and groundwater extraction taking place without the necessary permits and approvals.
Adeyemo warned that poorly regulated groundwater abstraction could expose residents to serious public health risks, particularly where drilling activities compromise underground water quality.
The commission also identified groundwater contamination and land subsidence as potential consequences of indiscriminate extraction.
Lagos depends on groundwater to supplement public water supply, particularly in residential and commercial areas where access to reliable piped water remains a challenge.
The government said stronger oversight would help protect underground water resources and ensure that groundwater extraction does not undermine the state's long-term water security.
LASWARCO Threatens to Seal Non-Compliant Facilities
The commission said it would take enforcement action against operators found extracting groundwater without the required authorisation.
According to Adeyemo, LASWARCO has the statutory responsibility to regulate borehole drilling, groundwater abstraction and water supply services under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.
She warned that the government would not hesitate to seal facilities operating in violation of applicable requirements and prosecute offenders.
The commission also called on residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to report suspected illegal borehole drilling and unauthorised groundwater extraction.
Residents can report suspected violations through LASWARCO's hotline on 0816 878 2223 or visit its office at Block 19, third floor, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
Borehole Regulation Has Implications for Property Owners and Developers
Boreholes remain an important source of water for many residential estates, apartment buildings, commercial properties and construction sites in Lagos.
Where public water infrastructure cannot meet demand, property developers and landlords frequently rely on private groundwater facilities to provide water for occupants and daily operations.
The latest enforcement warning therefore places greater attention on regulatory compliance during property development and facility management.
Developers planning new estates or commercial buildings need to establish the applicable approval requirements before commissioning borehole drilling. Existing property owners and estate managers also need to understand whether their groundwater facilities fall within the regulatory requirements.
For construction companies, the regulatory environment could influence project preparation, water-supply planning and development costs, particularly where groundwater extraction forms part of a project's infrastructure.
Environmental Law Provides an Important Distinction for Domestic Boreholes
The Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, contains provisions that distinguish household domestic boreholes from other forms of groundwater extraction.
Section 253 provides that a person may construct or extend a borehole in residential premises without obtaining a licence where the water is intended solely for household domestic use. However, the provision also requires compliance with applicable regulations governing borehole construction.
This distinction is important because the government's latest warning refers broadly to unauthorised borehole drilling and groundwater abstraction.
The precise application of the enforcement directive to existing household boreholes, commercial properties, multi-unit residential developments and non-domestic groundwater extraction requires clear guidance from LASWARCO.
Property owners should therefore confirm the requirements applicable to their particular use rather than assume that every borehole falls under the same approval category.
Lagos Reiterates Need for Stronger Groundwater Management
The latest warning reinforces the state's efforts to regulate underground water resources, which began with measures introduced in 2022 to strengthen oversight of groundwater extraction, consumption, supply and distribution.
The government has also previously raised concerns about possible groundwater contamination in parts of the Lekki axis.
In August 2025, officials warned that inadequate wastewater treatment could expose residents to contaminated groundwater, highlighting the relationship between sewage management, borehole safety and public health.
These concerns are particularly relevant to densely populated areas where residential development, groundwater extraction and wastewater disposal occur within close proximity.
Effective groundwater regulation will therefore require more than enforcement against unauthorised drilling. It will also depend on proper wastewater infrastructure, technical standards for borehole construction, regular monitoring and accessible information for property owners.
Regulatory Clarity Will Matter for Lagos' Property Market
Lagos' reliance on private boreholes reflects the importance of dependable water infrastructure to residential and commercial property development.
The government's enforcement drive could improve groundwater management and reduce environmental risks if it provides clear requirements and consistent oversight.
However, property owners and developers will need accessible guidance on applicable permits, exemptions, technical standards and procedures for existing facilities.
For the state's property market, the central challenge is to balance environmental protection with the need to provide reliable water infrastructure for expanding residential and commercial developments.
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