The General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency
(LASEPA), Adebola Shabi, has said that water from boreholes and wells in
20 Local government areas in Lagos state are toxic and pose probable
health hazards to residents who consume such water. Shabi gave the
warning while speaking with newsmen in Lagos.
According to Shabi, results of water samples which were obtained from
about eight laboratories belonging to LASEPA, showed that petroleum
products, also referred to as hydrocarbons, were not only finding their
way into wells and other sources of drinking water but they were already
reaching a level.
“The results of the analysis of water samples taken from different wells
in 20 LGs in Lagos showed a significant rise in hydrocarbon pollution
of well water. This can be attributed to the carelessness of residents
when discarding used engine oil from their generators or when pouring
fuel inside their generators. At times, people allow those products to
find their way inside well where people fetch water to drink. When
exposed to these products over a period of time, the pollutants will
begin to gradually cause harm to the human body. People must also
endeavour to refrain from dealing with petroleum products such as engine
oil anywhere close to a well, borehole or any other source of potable
water” he said.