By Chioma Obinna

To tackle growing concerns over water safety, the Federal Government, Nestlé Nigeria and the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene have launched a National Water Quality Advocacy Handbook to equip Nigerians with practical tools to safeguard drinking water.
The handbook, unveiled at the Annual Water Quality Conference in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, is designed to bridge knowledge gaps and promote safe water practices at household and community levels.
Stakeholders said the initiative marks a significant step in strengthening water safety awareness nationwide, particularly as millions of Nigerians remain exposed to unsafe water despite its clear appearance.
The handbook simplifies technical water safety principles into actionable steps, guiding households, communities, policymakers and industry players on how to identify risks, ensure safe handling and storage, apply treatment methods, and protect water sources.
It also highlights the dangers of invisible contaminants, stressing that water that appears clean may still pose serious health risks if not properly treated and handled.
Speaking at the unveiling, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, underscored the importance of awareness in improving water quality outcomes.
“Improving water quality outcomes in Nigeria requires sustained public awareness and education. Individuals and communities must be equipped with the knowledge to adopt safe practices and protect their health,” he said.
“The Water Quality Handbook represents an important step in this effort, helping to take water safety knowledge directly to communities and promote responsible water use nationwide.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to water stewardship.
“Water is fundamental to life, public health, and economic development, and as a food and beverage company, it is essential across our value chain,” she said.
“Through our water business, we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality water to consumers every day. However, that commitment extends beyond our operations to protecting shared water resources and improving access to safe water for communities.”
She added that the development of the handbook reflects a broader effort to strengthen water quality standards and promote safer practices among individuals and families.
Beyond technical knowledge, experts stressed that achieving safe water outcomes depends largely on consistent behaviours at the household and community levels where water is handled daily.
The National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address water challenges sustainably.
“Improving water quality outcomes in Nigeria requires coordinated action across stakeholders, from policy to community-level implementation,” he said.
“This handbook helps strengthen awareness, support community education, and identify gaps that require technical and financial support. At OPS-WASH, we remain committed to working with partners to advance integrated solutions that address water and sanitation challenges in a sustainable way.”
To ensure wide reach and impact, the handbook will be distributed through both digital platforms and physical channels via government and community partners, including RUWASSA, alongside a nationwide grassroots sensitisation campaign.
Stakeholders urged Nigerians to embrace the initiative by downloading the handbook and adopting safe water practices, describing it as a critical step toward improving public health and making water safety a national priority.