Lack of potable water has always been a problem for many communities, especially in developing
countries, and Ilaje in Nigeria, is not an exception to this lack of healthy water.
The aim of this study was focused on current water situation in Ilaje, hence investigating
the market potential for purified potable water in the region. There are different reports
from the United Nations and more organizations about future shortage of water. Among the
world strategic resources, oil, land, coal etc., none of them will be more valuable than
fresh water in the coming decades.
The oil rich Ilaje region has a population of approximately three hundred thousand
(300,000) inhabitants; this alone is staggering enough to convince potential investors in
water technology industry. However, there was a need to look into the possibility of venturing
into such a business there, through some research methods that will get the opinion of
the prospective consumers and the view of the policy makers towards a private purified
water company in the region. This resulted in a structured questionnaire to carry out a survey;
some interviews were also executed to support the available secondary information.
Despite being surrounded with water, it was found that drinking waters are supplied to Ilaje
communities from neighbouring towns through motor trucks; the closest town is about 25km
away from Ilaje, and the purity of the water is not guaranteed. Based on all the information
gathered, Ilaje remains a potential market for healthy potable water, but still lacks basic
infrastructures for direct water supply to homes through pipes.