The reddish hue that once characterised groundwater in Lagos coastal districts such as Lekki, Victoria Island and Eti-Osa is gradually diminishing, signalling a shift with both environmental and economic implications. Previously regarded as a normal aspect of coastal living, the discolouration reflected iron levels of up to 6.0 mg/L, far exceeding the 0.3 mg/L guideline set by the World Health Organisation. The mitigation of this problem illustrates how technical approaches can achieve tangible results.
Olayinka Enitan Adedoyin, a building professional, attributes the issue to flawed construction methods. Field investigations revealed that indiscriminate borehole drilling on reclaimed land had breached natural filtration layers, releasing iron oxide into the water.
“For years, people accepted this rusty water as a normal, unavoidable price of coastal living, but it’s not normal at all. The red water was a message. It was telling us exactly where we went wrong; that the imprecise drilling had breached the land’s natural filter,” he told The Guardian.
In response, Adedoyin and his team developed the Coastal Comfort Framework, which employs Building Information Modelling to simulate underground geology. This allows for the precise placement of boreholes into protected aquifers, rather than relying on guesswork. Early application of the framework has reduced maintenance costs by an estimated 60 per cent, as property owners contend less with plumbing corrosion and staining.
“We proved that reclamation doesn’t have to mean discomfort. It wasn’t about building higher; it was about building wiser by listening to the ground first,” Adedoyin explained.
The framework also addresses health concerns arising from unregulated boreholes and unlined cesspools, particularly in areas like Lekki, which require roughly 90 million gallons of water per day but lack a comprehensive public supply. By introducing waste management protocols developed with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, the model has reduced reported cases of waterborne illnesses in communities where it is implemented.
Beyond public health, the initiative has created demand for geotechnical engineers and BIM specialists, generating employment and revenue for local firms. The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development now references the methodology in technical assessments, signalling a shift towards evidence-based standards for building on reclaimed land.
Adedoyin reflected on the wider significance: “Sustainability must translate to comfort. If our cities cannot provide safe air and clean water, then we have only built monuments, not homes.”
He added, “This is proof that private technical excellence, when rigorously applied, can drive systemic progress. We’ve turned a major environmental obstacle into a foundation for financial growth and community health.”
