The Anambra State Government has ordered immediate testing of water from boreholes and wells in flood-affected communities across Onitsha, Ogbaru, Ogidi, Umusiome Nkpor and Obosi.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Clem Aguiyi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Awka while briefing reporters on measures to address potential health risks.
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Aguiyi said the directive aimed to prevent waterborne diseases following flooding and erosion that submerged water sources and damaged drainage systems.
He said the flooding and erosion had also heightened the risk of contamination in Idemili North, Ogbaru and Onitsha South Local Government Areas.
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Aguiyi said the exercise was a proactive public health measure to protect residents from diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea.
He explained that floodwater could carry sewage, chemicals and other pollutants into underground water sources, stressing that clear-looking water was not necessarily safe for consumption.
The commissioner said the ministry would collaborate with the state Ministry of Health, affected local government councils and community leaders to collect water samples for laboratory analysis.
He said samples would be collected from public and private boreholes and wells in the affected communities.
“The results will determine the safety of the water sources and guide necessary remedial action,” he said.
He said the ministry had directed homeowners, landlords, schools, markets and religious centres to make their boreholes and wells available for sampling.
The commissioner said state-accredited consultants and laboratories would conduct the sampling and testing exercise.
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He advised residents to boil or chlorinate drinking water until the test results were released.
Aguiyi also warned residents against dumping refuse into drains and water channels, stressing that existing environmental laws would be enforced against offenders.
He said any borehole or well found to be contaminated must be disinfected and retested before being used.
He urged residents to support the government’s environmental sanitation efforts to prevent flooding and safeguard public health.
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