The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has intensified its enforcement activities against illegal wastewater disposal, sealing 14 properties across different parts of the state for violating wastewater management regulations.
The affected properties are located in Ikotun, Ikoyi, Isheri-Osun, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Amuwo-Odofin. The enforcement operations followed complaints from members of the public as well as findings from routine monitoring and investigations conducted by the agency.
According to the LSWMO, the properties were sealed over various infractions, including the discharge of untreated sewage into public drains, unauthorised connections to public drainage infrastructure and improper management of wastewater from septic tanks and other systems.
The General Manager of LSWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, said investigations revealed that some of the affected properties were pumping untreated sewage directly into public drainage channels, ongoing drainage works and the surrounding environment.
He added that some of the violations involved broken or dilapidated sewer chambers, illegally connected sewer pipes and deliberate discharge of septic tank contents into public drains.
Afolabi said such practices had resulted in foul odours, faecal contamination and environmental nuisance, while also exposing residents and surrounding communities to potential public health risks.
“Wastewater management is not optional. It is a public health responsibility. Where untreated sewage is deliberately discharged into public drains or the environment, the consequences go beyond the property involved,” he said.
The LSWMO boss stressed that indiscriminate wastewater discharge could undermine efforts to maintain a cleaner and healthier Lagos, noting that the environmental consequences often extend beyond the properties where the violations occur.
He explained that the agency’s compliance exercise was not targeted at any particular location or category of property, stressing that property owners, residents, facility managers and businesses were all required to comply with approved wastewater management practices.
“We will continue to respond to credible complaints and act wherever our investigations establish violations. Our commitment is to ensuring that wastewater generated by residential, commercial and institutional properties is properly contained, treated and disposed of through approved channels,” Afolabi said.
The agency warned property owners and managers against practices that could compromise public health or cause environmental pollution, urging them to ensure that their wastewater systems are properly maintained and connected to approved disposal channels.
The LSWMO also appealed to residents to report suspected cases of illegal wastewater discharge and other environmental infractions to the appropriate authorities.
It said timely reports from the public would assist its officials in investigating complaints, identifying offenders and taking appropriate enforcement action to prevent further environmental and public health risks.
