Rising water prices squeeze Lagos households as cost-of-living pressure deepens

Business

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Residents across parts of Lagos are facing increasing pressure on household budgets as the cost of drinking water continues to rise, forcing many families to adjust consumption patterns amid worsening living conditions.

A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shows a steady increase in the prices of sachet, bottled, and dispenser water in recent months.

According to the survey, a bag of sachet water, popularly known as “pure water”, now sells between ₦500 and ₦800 in several areas, depending on location, up from about ₦350 to ₦450 recorded in late 2025.

The increase has left many residents struggling to cope, with some diverting part of their feeding allowance to water purchases, while others resort to alternative — and sometimes unsafe — sources.

Mrs Justina Orjiakor, a resident of Ikeja, said the rising cost has forced her family to ration water consumption.

“In my family, we consume a lot of water. I used to buy two trips of 22 bags weekly for my household of four, but now I can only afford one. The rationing is not easy on us,” she said.

An airport worker, Mr Godwin, said the price hike has significantly altered his spending habits.

“Water is essential, but the price of bottled water keeps rising every few weeks from N1,400 late last year to N1,700 at the moment. It is becoming difficult to keep up,” he said.

Another resident, Mrs Chiamaka, said the cost of dispenser-bottled water has risen from N1,200 to N1,700, forcing her family to reconsider switching to sachet water. She attributed the frequent changes to vendors.

Mrs Ifeyinwa Ezeokoli, a resident of Ajao Estate, told NAN that she now spends between N16,000 and N20,000 monthly on sachet water for her family.

“1 bag 10 bags of water for N4,000 at my area directly from the company,” she said.

The civil servant lamented that the rising cost was straining her monthly budget alongside increasing food inflation.

She also noted that sachet water sizes appear to have reduced despite the price increases, calling for regulatory attention.

Ezeokoli urged the Lagos State Government to improve access to basic social amenities to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases and ensure affordable, safe drinking water for residents.

However, vendors say the price increases are driven by rising production and distribution costs, including transportation and fuel.

Mrs Opeyemi Abosede Akintunde, a shop owner in Ikeja, said frequent price adjustments are affecting both her business and customer relations.

“The price changes almost every two months, and customers think I am responsible,” she said.

She added that retail transactions have become increasingly difficult, with customers often complaining or refusing to accept new prices.

“I spend more time explaining than selling. Some customers even insult you, not realising that we are also struggling,” she said.

Akintunde, who has been in the trade for over seven years, said suppliers frequently adjust prices, leaving retailers with no choice but to pass the increases on to consumers.

“When I buy at a higher price, I have no choice but to sell higher,” she added.