NIGERIAN STANDARD FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Act · Water
A Standard specifies the quality requirements for drinking water in Nigeria, covering physical, chemical, microbiological, and radiological aspects. It targets water utilities, bottled water producers, and environmental regulators. This protects public health by ensuring safe water for consumption.
NIGERIAN STANDARD FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY
What Is This Policy?
Nigeria's national standard specifying the physical, chemical, microbiological, and radiological quality requirements that drinking water must meet before it is safe for public supply and consumption.
Who Does It Target?
Water utilities and distribution companies Bottled and sachet water producers State Water Corporations Environmental regulators and public health officials
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Protect public health by defining the maximum permissible levels of contaminants in drinking water, ensure consistency in water quality standards, and provide a basis for regulatory enforcement.
Key Features
Microbiological Standards: Sets zero tolerance for faecal coliform organisms and prescribes limits for total coliforms in piped drinking water. Chemical Standards: Defines maximum permissible concentrations for heavy metals, pesticides, disinfection by-products, and industrial contaminants. Physical Standards: Prescribes acceptable ranges for turbidity, colour, odour, taste, and pH. Radiological Standards: Sets limits for naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in drinking water.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - enforced by SON and state water quality regulators Coverage: All drinking water sources and distribution systems nationwide Beneficiaries: All Nigerians accessing public or packaged drinking water Funding: Federal Government; SON operational budget
How to Access
Water utilities must test water quality against NIS 554 before distribution Bottled water producers must obtain SON certification State water quality laboratories must use NIS 554 as the testing standard Application method: SON certification for water producers: https://www.son.gov.ng
Important Terms
Producing or distributing water not meeting NIS 554 is a health and safety violation Regular testing is mandatory even for previously certified water sources SON may seize and destroy non-compliant products
Official Resources
Website: https://www.son.gov.ng Contact: Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
Legal Framework
Issued under the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 2015, which empowers SON to develop and publish Nigerian Industrial Standards. Operates alongside the National Water Policy, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007, the National Water Resources Act 2023, and the WHO drinking water quality guidelines (4th edition).