✅ Borehole water is viable here — fresh groundwater at shallow depth. Basic filtration is sufficient for most household use. This is one of the most affordable water solutions in Lagos.
💧 Monthly water budget
₦8,000–₦15,000/month
Estimated cost for a household of 4 in Egbe
≈ 22% of median 2-bed rent in Egbe
Monthly water budget — household of 4
Sachet only
3 bags/day for family of 4
₦45,000/mo
✅ Recommended water strategy
BOREHOLE: Excellent fresh water. ₦800,000. Among the cheapest water in Lagos.
L
Lagos.Cool Editorial
28 July 2026 · 2 min read
Lagos.Cool Editorial
Egbe has excellent shallow freshwater — one of the best borehole areas in Lagos alongside Ikorodu and Alimosho. Basic filtration produces clean drinking water.
Egbe, in the busy Egbe-Ikotun belt, is dense and largely working-class, and its water economy reflects that. Boreholes are viable across the area and are the backbone of supply, but not every compound can afford its own — so shared and commercial boreholes are common, with neighbours buying water by the jerrycan or the tank from a compound that has drilled. It is a practical, communal system that keeps water flowing where budgets are tight.
For those who do drill, a borehole is the cheapest water over time; for everyone else, buying from a nearby borehole or a tanker is the day-to-day reality. Quality is generally serviceable but variable, so a filter for drinking water and a decent storage tank are sensible everywhere. As across Lagos, the tap is for washing and the kettle is filled from bottled, sachet or filtered water — a habit so ingrained here that few think twice about it.
📊 How Egbe compares
Banana Island
₦0
Cheapest in Lagos
Egbe
₦15,000
← Egbe
Lekki Phase 1
₦186,000
Most expensive in Lagos
⚖️ Legal: borehole permits
Under the Lagos State Environmental Management Protection Law, drilling a borehole without LASWARCO authorization is illegal. Fine: ₦500,000 + up to 1 month imprisonment. Always obtain a permit before drilling, and hire a licensed hydrogeological surveyor to assess your site.
LASWARCO permit required. ₦500,000 fine + 1 month imprisonment for drilling without authorization.
Yes — borehole drilling is viable in Egbe. Expect a depth of 35–55 metres at a cost of around ₦n/a, with good borehole access..
A typical 4-person household in Egbe spends ₦45,000–₦45,000 per month depending on whether they use sachet, tanker, or borehole.
Borehole water in Egbe is generally safe to drink with basic filtration. Test before use.
Borehole depth in Egbe should be 35–55 metres to reach safe water. Drilling shallower risks contaminated or saline water.
Tanker water quality varies — some operators source from clean depths, others from contaminated sites. Use tanker companies recommended by your estate manager, store water in clean tanks, and inspect tanks quarterly for sediment and algae.