By Dipo Olowookere
A recent report published in the Daily Trust Newspaper, saying that harmful germs were found in Lagos public water supply has been debunked by the state government.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Managing Director, Lagos Water Corporation, Mr Muminu Badmus, explained that a comprehensive laboratory test and analysis have been carried out in all its facilities, in the last few weeks, and it is clear that Lagos public water supply is safe and good for consumption as it is produced in conformity with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard.
The newspaper had claimed to have conducted an independent investigation during which it took water samples from six states of the Federation – Abuja, Lagos, Plateau, Kano, Katsina and Enugu – and analysed the samples according to the guidelines of the American Public Health Association, 19th edition.
The report claimed further that the investigation revealed that many of the samples, including that of Lagos, did not meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Standard or the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality.
But Mr Badmus refuted this, stressing that Lagos water production process involves the application of water treatment chemicals such as aluminium sulphate, hydrated lime, and chlorine to purify and remove all hazardous substances from water in order to guarantee safe consumption.
He added that the Quality Assurance Department of the Corporation, monitors samples on regular basis during the process, and subjects it to physical, chemical and microbiological tests in the laboratories, in conformity with acceptable standards.
The Managing Director disclosed that the corporation was planning to install secondary chlorination points at strategic locations between the public water supply distribution networks to remove every opportunistic microbial contaminant entering water supply during distribution, as this would guarantee additional protection against water-borne diseases.
While assuring the public on the quality of water produced by LWC, Mr Badmus expressed the commitment of the state in providing potable, germ-free, and uninterrupted water supply to the residents of Lagos State.
