A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS IN LAGOS ISLAND AND LAGOS MAINLAND

Lagos, the fastest-growing city in Africa, faces a critical water management crisis. With a rapidly increasing population driven by high birth rates, rural-urban migration, and the expansion of the city, the demand for potable water continues to rise. Currently, Lagos requires an estimated 540 million gallons of water per day (MGD), but the available supply is only around 210 MGD, creating a daily shortfall of approximately 330 MGD. This significant gap between supply and demand is due to factors such as poor urban planning, aging infrastructure, insufficient investment, and weak governance. Water distribution challenges are not uniform across the city; they differ significantly between Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland, the two main regions of the city, which have distinct socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural characteristics. This disparity requires tailored solutions for each region. The water supply shortfall has led to severe consequences, including increased health risks from poor sanitation, high water costs, and negative impacts on economic productivity, especially in low-income areas. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of water distribution challenges and solutions in Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland. The objectives are to assess the current water supply systems, identify key challenges, evaluate existing solutions, and propose region-specific recommendations for improving water access and equity. The study uses a questionnaire to gather insights from residents and stakeholders on their water access and quality experiences, aiming to contribute to a sustainable and equitable water distribution system for Lagos.