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Water in Yaba

FairFreshBorehole: Yes

Water quality

Quality ratingFair
Water typeFresh
Borehole viableYes
Borehole depth5090m
Treatment neededModerate depth. Basic filtration recommended.

Cost breakdown

Sachet (pure water)₦500per bag (20 sachets)
Bottled water₦1,300per pack (12 bottles)
Tanker delivery₦28,000per 10,000L delivery
Borehole (drilling)₦850,000one-time installation
Borehole (monthly)₦15,000per month (Band A area)

Borehole vs tanker — when does it pay off?

₦0₦504.0K₦1.0M₦1.5M₦2.0M061218243036Months~21 mo
Borehole (cumulative)Tanker (cumulative)

A ₦850.0K borehole pays back versus tanker delivery in roughly 21 months at this neighborhood's prices.

Water quality is fair — borehole water may need additional treatment beyond basic filtration. Test your water before relying on it for drinking. Consider a combination of borehole (for bathing/washing) and sachet water (for drinking).

💧 Monthly water budget
₦15,000–₦45,000/month
Estimated cost for a household of 4 in Yaba
≈ 12% of median 2-bed rent in Yaba

Monthly water budget — household of 4

Sachet only
3 bags/day for family of 4
₦45,000/mo
Tanker delivery
2 deliveries/month
₦56,000/mo
Borehole (amortised + monthly run)
5-yr amortisation + run cost
₦29,167/mo

Recommended water strategy

BOREHOLE (BEST VALUE): Drill to 60-90m, install basic sediment + carbon filter. Cost: ₦850,000. Monthly running: ₦10,000-₦15,000 (pump electricity). Payback vs tanker: 8-10 months.

Lagos.Cool Editorial
4 June 2026 · 2 min read

Lagos.Cool Editorial

Yaba sits on reasonably fresh groundwater at moderate depths (50-90m). Boreholes here produce usable water with basic filtration — a massive advantage over the Island areas. The borehole drilling cost of ₦850,000 pays for itself within 10-12 months compared to tanker delivery. Many Yaba compounds have shared boreholes serving multiple units, bringing per-household costs down further. The main concern is proximity to LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) and the university campus — some areas near these institutions have reported higher contamination from institutional waste. Test before drinking.

💡 Water tips

  1. Borehole water in Yaba is generally safe with basic filtration — but TEST it first
  2. Shared boreholes reduce cost to ₦10,000-₦15,000/month per household
  3. Avoid boreholes near LUTH or the Yaba Industrial Estate — contamination risk is higher
  4. Sachet water for drinking (₦500/bag) plus borehole for everything else is the cheapest combo
  5. If your compound doesn't have a borehole, organise with neighbours to drill one — ₦850,000 split 4 ways is ₦212,500 each

📊 How Yaba compares

Banana Island
0
Cheapest in Lagos
Yaba
45,000
← Yaba
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.

🏠 Rent
See rent and living costs in Yaba
⚡ Power
Power supply in Yaba

Similar (Fair)

FAQ

Yes — borehole drilling is viable in Yaba. Expect a depth of 50–90 metres at a cost of around ₦850,000, with moderate depth. basic filtration recommended..