Residents of Wuse Zone 6 in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have raised alarm over what they describe as contaminated tap water flowing into their homes, with some reporting illnesses linked to its consumption.
According to residents, the problem has persisted for weeks. Mr. Jimoh Olatunji recounted how he and his daughter developed severe stomach upset after drinking from the tap. “We had running stomachs for days and had to seek hospital treatment,” he said.
Another resident, Mr. Uche Uchechukwu, said the water was unsafe for basic use. “Once we open the taps, black and red worms come out with a faecal smell. The water cannot be used for cooking, bathing, or even washing,” he explained.
The chairman of the Wuse Zone 6 Residents Association, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, described the situation as unacceptable and promised to escalate the matter. “By God’s grace, I will meet with the FCT Water Board in Area 3 this week to press for urgent action,” he said.
When contacted, the General Manager of the FCT Water Board, Daniel Salka, maintained that the board supplies safe water across Abuja, insisting that the Wuse Zone 6 case was “a localised issue.” He explained that some houses had sewer lines running too close to their water pipes, which could cause contamination.
“Our water is clean. It’s the same supply across the city. Where we’ve seen contamination, it’s usually because pipes are located near septic tanks or sewer lines,” Salka stated. He advised residents to avoid drinking the water for now, adding that a technical team would be sent to investigate once more details are received.
Water contamination is a recurring challenge in the FCT and across Nigeria, where millions of people face daily struggles accessing safe water. Experts warn that without stronger infrastructure, proper pipe networks, and enforcement of water safety standards, outbreaks of waterborne diseases will remain a major public health threat.