Can I Drink the Water in Nigeria (Lagos)?

Expert Info

Posted by

on 5 Dec 2011

Is it safe to drink the tap water in Nigeria? If not, is bottled water easy to come by, and is it inexpensive for the most part?

Anonymous (not verified) on 5 Dec 2011 - 14:19

No, it would be safer to sleep in a cage full of snakes on a nightly basis. Ok, maybe that's a little drastic, but in short, the tap water in Nigeria is not safe to drink. People generally drink water out of bags, called sachets. You can buy a 500mL sachet for roughly 6 Naira (the equivalent of 2 cents). Ladewa and Blessed water are the two brands that are generally thought to be the most reliable.
Though, whether or not the sachets are actually just filled with tap water, nobody knows.

If you're buying bottled water, just make sure the seal is in tact. If it's not, it goes without saying that the bottle has most likely just been refilled from the tap.

Anonymous (not verified) on 28 Jan 2012 - 10:13

Do not drink tap water unless you filter it. Most people have a filter system in their houses. After you have been here for some time you can start cleaning your teeth with tap water. Do not swallow, just rinse and spit. This helps you build a resistance to various things. If you want belly palavar, drink pouch water. It is suitable for locals who have a certain resistance. New Expat should not drink it. Stick to brand name waters such as Aquafina which also has some minerals in it.

Anonymous (not verified) on 23 Jan 2013 - 10:20

YES YOU CAN DRINK WATER IN NIGERIA. I WOULD RECOMMEND 100% QUALITY WATER (SUYU WATER IN 75CL AND DISPENSER JAR) PRODUCED & PACKAGED BY H2OTECH INDUSTRIES LIMITED.08191969773(DELIVERY FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN LAGOS) PRICE POCKET FRIENDLY AND AFFORDABLE.

Anonymous (not verified) on 26 Feb 2013 - 13:04

There are several easily available and inexpensive brands of bottled water available everywhere. Eva Water, produced by the Coca cola company, and Pure life produced by nestle are just two of the very safe and readily available brands. Tap water is best avoided unless filtered. and water is Sachets is best avoided altogether because you cant vouch for the source.

Anonymous (not verified) on 26 Feb 2013 - 13:06

Anonymous (not verified) on 24 May 2013 - 13:43

yes eva water by coca cola and pure life by nestle are real good brands

Anonymous (not verified) on 1 Nov 2013 - 03:00

I think if you don't want to drink water from Nigeria while in Nigeria then all you've got to do is simple as STAYING IN YOUR COUNTRY. If our water is not safe then ask our other foreigner survived. You need to have a rethink of my country or live backfence.

Anonymous (not verified) on 12 Jul 2017 - 10:37

dear friends am from india. am going to lagos for 1 year business purpose.is there any drinking water problem. if problem then which type of precautions. and tell me ur valuable words

Meagan on 13 Jul 2017 - 15:03

Hi there. As Stephanie mentions above, the tap water in Nigeria isn't safe to drink. It's a good idea to drink bottled water instead.

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