Lagos seals 14 properties for discharging untreated sewage into public drains

The Lagos State Government has sealed 14 properties across Ikotun, Ikoyi, Isheri-Osun, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Amuwo-Odofin for allegedly discharging untreated sewage into public drains and carrying out other wastewater management violations.

According to the statement by the Lagos government, the action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, LSWMO, as part of intensified monitoring and compliance activities against the indiscriminate discharge of untreated wastewater.

The operations followed public complaints as well as findings from routine monitoring and investigations by the Office.

LSWMO said the exercise was aimed at protecting public health, safeguarding the environment and ensuring compliance with Lagos State wastewater management regulations.

Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of LSWMO, Adefemi Afolabi, said the affected properties were found to be releasing untreated sewage from septic tanks and other wastewater systems into public drains, ongoing drainage works and nearby areas.

He said some of the violations involved broken or dilapidated sewer chambers, illegally connected sewer pipes and the deliberate pumping of septic tank contents into public drainage channels.

According to him, the practices resulted in foul odour, faecal contamination and environmental nuisance, while also posing potential risks to public health.

Afolabi said the agency would continue to take decisive action against practices capable of exposing residents and communities to environmental and 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. It creates environmental nuisance, exposes communities to health risks and undermines the State’s efforts to build a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos” he said

The General Manager stressed that the monitoring and compliance activities were not targeted at any particular location or category of property.

He said property owners, residents, facility managers and businesses are expected 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” he added