Access to clean drinking water remains a major challenge in many parts of Nigeria. However, some states have made good progress in providing potable water to a large percentage of their population. Based on data and reports from various agencies, here are the top 15 states with the purest drinking water in Nigeria as of 2023.
Top 15 States with Pure Drinking Water in Nigeria
The top 15 states with pure drinking water in Nigeria are as follows:
1. Lagos State
Lagos state has worked extensively in recent years to increase access to clean drinking water for its large population. The state government has rehabilitated old waterworks, drilled new boreholes, and laid more pipelines to improve the water supply. Water quality is regularly tested by agencies like the Lagos Water Corporation to ensure it meets World Health Organization guidelines for drinking water quality. Over 85% of households in Lagos now have access to potable water.InformationGuideNigeria
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2. Rivers State
Rivers State has abundant water resources from the many rivers, including the state’s namesake. In Port Harcourt, the state capital, and other major cities, tap water is treated at modern water treatment plants and is safe for drinking. The state also has a rural water program working to provide potable water to rural communities. Overall, about 70% of the state’s population uses an improved source of drinking water.
3. Delta State
Delta state government established the Delta State Water Corporation to supply drinkable water to cities like Asaba, Warri, and Effurun. Multiple water treatment facilities like the Asaba and Oghara plants daily provide over 100 million liters of clean water to the state. This has significantly increased accessibility to potable water in both urban and rural parts of Delta State.Top 15 States with Pure Drinking Water in Nigeria
4. Ogun State
Ogun state has one of the highest percentages of households with access to safe drinking water. The state benefitted from the now-completed European Union water projects in Nigeria which constructed boreholes, micro water schemes, and treatment plants in Ogun. The state also has codified standards for water quality monitoring by relevant agencies. About 75% of the population in Ogun now uses improved drinking water sources.
5. Enugu State
The recently revitalized Enugu State Water Corporation supplies treated water from reservoirs and boreholes to homes in Enugu City and environs. The corporation also monitors water quality to ascertain its safety. Additionally, NGOs have drilled multiple boreholes in rural areas to increase clean water access. Consequently, around 70% of people in Enugu state have access to more reliable clean water.Top 15 Best Guitarists of all Time
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6. Kaduna State
Kaduna State Water Corporation provides water to Kaduna City and its environs after treatment and disinfection. The state also commenced a rural water sanitation and hygiene program in 2012 which has constructed nearly 500 new hand pump boreholes in rural areas. This has significantly boosted access to potable water for both urban and rural communities in the state.
7. Imo State
Imo State boasts high-quality underground water sources which serve as a natural filtration system. This makes groundwater obtained via boreholes relatively safe for consumption without intensive treatment. The Imo State Water Corporation has also successfully rehabilitated water schemes in several cities providing thousands more residents with tap water that meets drinking water standards. Overall, Imo has one of the better percentages of people using clean water in the South-East zone.15 Best Home Remedies in Nigeria
8. Ondo State
Ondo State has high coverage when it comes to access to safe drinking water owing to efforts by bodies like the Ondo State Water Corporation and NGOs active in the state. The corporation provides treated water in line with WHO standards to many parts of Akure, Ondo town, and environs from facilities like the Oji water treatment plant. NGOs like UNICEF have also assisted in constructing boreholes in rural areas.
9. Edo State
Edo State Water Corporation is responsible for treating and distributing safe drinking water in Benin City and its suburbs. The state also benefits from access to quality underground water sources boosting the availability of borehole water. Edo state commenced a rural water supply and sanitation program in 2007 leading to the construction of boreholes and water infrastructure in many rural communities which has improved access.
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10. Osun State
Osun state has worked diligently over the past decade to increase its percentage of people that have access to safe drinking water. The state government reconstructed the Ede Waterworks to serve a large population with clean water. Many other cities like Osogbo also receive treated water from water corporations. Osun has additionally put effort into expanding potable water to rural areas via initiatives like the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program.105 Good Morning My Love Messages
11. Katsina State
Katsina State has abundant underground water reserves suitable for consumption after standard treatment. Over the past few years, the state rehabilitated and expanded the Malumfashi Water Scheme and the Funtua Water Supply Project to provide safer drinking water to more households. Many rural communities in the state also use borehole water which requires minimal treatment to be potable given the quality of underground aquifers in the state.200 Romantic Message for Her
12. Cross River State
Cross River State Water Board is active in supplying treated water from facilities like the Calabar Water Treatment Plant to the state capital. The state also has a Rural Water Supply and Sanitation program that has successfully provided clean water to many rural communities by building solar-powered boreholes and piped water systems. Just over 60% of people in Cross River are estimated to use improved sources of drinking water.
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13. Benue State
Benue State Water Board uses facilities like the Gboko Water Treatment Plant and Wannune Water Treatment Plant to supply several cities with clean water daily. The state has also actively drilled new boreholes under initiatives like the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency improving access in rural communities. About 60% of the state’s population now uses clean water sources.NYSC Portal
14. Niger State
The Niger state government has prioritized revitalizing the state’s aged water infrastructure and building new ones to increase clean water access. The state reconstructed the Minna Regional Water Treatment Plant which provides safe drinking water to hundreds of thousands in the state capital. Rural communities have also benefitted from the construction of new boreholes and hand pump wells for easy access to underground water that requires minimal treatment.
15. Kwara State
Kwara State runs a state-wide Rural Water Supply and Sanitation program working to extend access to potable water. Dozens of boreholes and water reticulation systems have been constructed under this initiative. The program has partnered with NGOs and donor agencies over the years to build more infrastructure providing clean, potable water across rural Kwara. This has steadily increased the percentage of the state’s population that uses safe drinking water.JAMB Portal
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Conclusion
Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Ogun, Enugu, and Kaduna states have the highest percentages of people that have access to clean drinking water in Nigeria as of today. The other states covered have also made commendable progress in improving the availability of and access to potable water for their citizens. However, Nigeria still has a long way to go as millions still lack access to safe drinking water.
Nonetheless, if all states emulate the efforts of the top performers, Nigeria will be on course to attain the goal of universal access to safe drinking water. States need to continue investments in new water infrastructure and rehabilitation of old ones, embrace technology, boost operations and maintenance, and collaborate with private sector players and NGOs to provide 100% potable water coverage nationwide.
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