Global experts convene in Lagos to tackle critical water challenges

The most pressing problems facing Lagos’s water supply will be revealed in new expert analysis conducted by WaterAid, Arup and the Nigerian government, as key policy makers, engineers, experts and investors convene in Lagos this week to build a clear strategy to address key water issues in the city.

The analysis is set to confirm that rapid economic growth, a rising population, and the impacts of climate change are all affecting the water supply of Lagos and must be addressed if this global economic hub is to continue to grow and prosper.

Pollution from untreated water, sea level rise and industrial processes are potentially undermining the city’s groundwater supply, and flooding is made worse by the refuse blocking its gutters and drains. If protected, this same groundwater could act as a vital buffer to preventing increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

On Tuesday 26 September, key water sector stakeholders in the State are meeting for a crucial water summit to discuss this analysis and prioritise areas for action, including the lack of data on water resources, and the barriers in investing in water infrastructure and services which are worsening these issues.

These stakeholders include Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Lagos Water Cooperation, Lagos State Waste Management Office, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Lagos State Resilience Office, development partners and civil society organizations.

Once there is an agreed approach, the Resilient Water Accelerator, supported by the Nigerian, United Kingdom and Dutch Governments, will facilitate the development and design of a sustainable response to these issues, and work with donors and investors to attract much needed finance.

This builds on a year of engagement to help identify the major risks to the city as part of the Resilient Water Accelerator initiative – a collaboration with local actors and sectors supporting climate-vulnerable communities to secure clean and reliable water resources and services.

Martin Shouler, Arup’s urban water lead, who will be playing a leading role in the discussions said:

“The problems and the solutions are well known to us, but as in many cities of this scale, if we are to improve long-term resilience, we must work to understand the main underlying issues that are causing the problems, and then also understand how these problems interact.

"The City Water Resilience Approach (CWRA) that we have been using, has helped identify a number of key areas where, if urgent action is taken, will not only resolve pressing water issues, but also boost the ability of the city to address other challenges relating to the quality, quantity and accessibility of water for residents and businesses.”

Commenting further, Engr. Kunle Adebajo, Arup Nigeria’s Country Director said:

“As a Business operating in Lagos and a firm providing Services on a wide array of Infrastructure development projects within the city, we have observed first-hand the severe impacts of an ailing Water System on human livelihoods, business activity, individual and Economic growth.

"We are therefore fully committed to this comprehensive approach of developing holistic solutions for the improvement of the Lagos water system to resist shocks and stresses and improve wellbeing.”

The Resilient Water Accelerator’s Country lead in Nigeria, Philip Obosi, said:

“The meetings this week mark a turning point in Lagos’ water future as we move much needed water investment to the top of the agenda.

"Climate impacts are hitting Nigeria hard, with droughts and flooding harming public health, disempowering some of the poorest in society, and disrupting commerce and supply chains. These problems are only increasing, so it is not a question of if there will be investment, but when.

“We are working in partnership with the authorities, as well as national and global experts, to ensure that we can secure major investment into much needed water services sooner rather than later and set this amazing city onto a green development pathway.”

Notes to editors

Resilient Water Accelerator enables climate-vulnerable communities to secure clean and reliable water resources and services. The Accelerator works in collaboration with local actors and initiatives across sectors to fill a gap in the global response to water and climate by increasing the pipeline of high-quality water infrastructure programmes and unlocking sustainable financing to support these programmes.

Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts working globally on sustainable development. Founded to be humane and excellent, Arup collaborates with clients and partners using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.

The City Water Resilience Approach (CWRA): Every city faces different water challenges. Some are dealing with increasing risk of flooding, driven by climate change. Others struggle to supply sufficient water for growing populations and economies. The CWRA approach helps leaders navigate these issues, bringing the most effective practices to local issues. CWRA provides clear insights on the most effective sequencing and prioritisation with a water programme, helping clients to engage with the complexity of the water system and prepare for changes in demand and use. It helps unlock investment and funding for much needed interventions in the water system.

This water summit builds on a highly successful meeting in July which brought together over 80 policy makers and experts to agree Arup’s assessment of the major water risks faced by Lagos over the next few decades.

WaterAid is working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. The international not-for-profit organisation works in 28 countries to change the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 27 million people with clean water and 27 million people with decent toilets.

For more information, please contact:

Arup Nigeria: Yusuf Olatoye at Yusuf.Olatoye@arup.com

WaterAid: Our after-hours press line on +44 (0)7887 521 552, or email pressoffice@wateraid.org.