“Based on these records, actual daily production is three per cent of the installed capacity,” the official said.
The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) says its water network serves 34,424 registered households or an estimated 1.03 per cent of the state’s 20 million residents.
The corporation, through the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs and Brand Management, Rasaq Anifowoshe, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
“Using an estimated average household size of six persons, the number of residents associated with these connections is 206,444, an equivalent to approximately 1.03 per cent of the state’s estimated population of 20 million,” he said.
Mr Anifowoshe disclosed that the corporation had an installed water production capacity of approximately 210 million gallons per day (MGD).
This, he said, was against an estimated state’s daily water demand of approximately 540 MGD, as stated in the Lagos State Water Supply Master Plan.
“A review of the corporation’s 2025 production records indicates an aggregate annual production of approximately 2,633.22 million gallons, equivalent to an average daily production of about 7.21 MGD.
“Based on these records, actual daily production is three per cent of the installed capacity,” he said.
NAN reports that the above figures highlight a substantial gap between installed capacity, actual output and estimated water demand across Lagos State.
Mr Anifowoshe identified ageing distribution pipelines, increasing demand arising from population growth and rapid urbanisation as well as the need to rehabilitate and expand existing water infrastructure as the major constraints.
NAN reports that these challenges affect the corporation’s ability to extend public water supply, particularly to communities relying on boreholes and private vendors.
Across Lagos, residents spend thousands of naira on alternative water sources as irregular public supply and inaccessible connections increase household costs.
Some Lagos residents interviewed by the NAN across Iponri, Oworonshoki, Costain, Apapa Road and Ebute Metta revealed concerns about unreliable supply, failed facilities and inadequate water pressure.
At the Iponri Housing Estate, Adebayo Solomon, said his household spent about N1,500 daily on vendor-supplied water, amounting to N45,000 monthly.
Mr Solomon said the expenditure would total approximately N547,500 if sustained throughout the year.
He said electricity shortages sometimes disrupted water availability, forcing his household to manage stored supplies or pay higher rates.
Mr Solomon said he would welcome an LWC connection if it provided regular supply and reduced dependence on vendors.
Another Iponri resident, Abdulkareem Ibrahim, said he relied on public boreholes provided by philanthropists because his community received no LWC supply.
“I depend on public water, the one provided by philanthropists. I fetch it in the morning or when I return from work at night,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim said the boreholes helped him avoid direct water expenses, although power interruptions sometimes disrupt pumping, forcing him to buy from vendors.
“I am just happy that we have water at all, all thanks to our magnanimous neighbours,” he said.
In Oworonshoki, Amanda Ogbodo, said she spent between N2,200 and N3,600 weekly on vendor-delivered borehole water.
Mrs Ogbodo said the expenditure amounts to between N8,800 and N14,400 over four weeks.
She said the LWC water had flowed more consistently in parts of her area over the preceding four months, mainly from Friday afternoons into Saturday.
However, she disclosed that homes on the higher ground remained underserved because of insufficient pressure, leaving residents on the lower ground better supplied.
She recalled that her business premises previously received LWC water, with eight or nine users contributing N10,000 monthly.
Mrs Ogbodo said supply stopped for about four years after a pipe broke and residents were told repairs were necessary.
She said water returned intermittently in 2025 but had only recently become more consistent.
“Electricity shortages over the preceding two weeks had also reduced availability and increased water costs.
“We plead with the government to help us run the pipe again and resume provision of constant water access,” she said.
At Costain, Eniola Adewale, said a truckload of water costs between N1,200 and N1,500, with vendors sometimes doubling prices during shortages.
