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The short answer
Kaduna households get water from the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC), private boreholes and water vendors, often all three. The state said in January 2026 that supply had improved in districts including Malali, Barnawa, Ungwan Rimi and Narayi after rehabilitating Malali water works, but KADSWAC tariffs were not published in anything we could open, so ask KADSWAC for your rate; borehole and vendor costs here are labelled examples.
For years many Kaduna homes relied on boreholes and the mai ruwa (water vendors) because public supply was unreliable. That is starting to change in some districts, but most households still mix sources. This guide explains what is happening at KADSWAC, what a borehole really costs, and how to budget for vendors.
KADSWAC: what has changed
According to a state government statement reported on 11 January 2026:
- The state declared a state of emergency in the water sector in 2023 and planned ₦93 billion over four years for rehabilitation.
- It paid ₦800 million in outstanding KADSWAC salaries and settled a ₦1.3 billion electricity bill owed by the corporation.
- Malali Water Works was rehabilitated; the Makera plant was still to be rehabilitated; the Zaria water works were working; repairs were made at the Kafanchan plant.
- Supply was said to have increased since December in Tudun Wada, Malali, Unguwan Dosa, Doka ward, Unguwan Rimi, Barnawa and Narayi, some of which had gone years without water.
- The Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure urged residents to pay their water bills promptly.
These are the government's own claims and were not independently verified in the report. If your area is listed, check whether your pipes and connection still work before you rely on public supply.
Your KADSWAC bill
We could not find a published KADSWAC tariff. Bills for unmetered homes are usually a flat monthly charge based on property type, while metered customers pay by volume. Ask your KADSWAC area office for the tariff that applies to you, the account number for your property, and how to pay. Pay only to an official KADSWAC account and keep your receipts, especially if you are a tenant, because unpaid bills can follow the property. Our guide to rent in Kaduna covers asking about water before you sign.
Boreholes: what one costs
A property guide published in June 2026 put the cost of a borehole at about ₦580,000 to ₦1.5 million. That figure was given in a Lagos context and depends on depth, ground conditions and equipment, so treat it as a rough benchmark for Kaduna. The full cost usually includes:
- Drilling (depth decides most of the price)
- Casing and gravel packing
- Submersible pump
- Overhead tank and stand
- Plumbing to the house
- Power: grid, generator fuel or solar
Running costs matter too. A pump on a generator burns fuel every day, and pumps and switches need repair. Test the water before drinking it; borehole water is not automatically safe.
Sharing a borehole
Some compounds and streets share the cost of one borehole among several households. It can cut the upfront cost for each family, but agree in writing who owns the equipment, how running costs and repairs are shared, and what happens when a household moves out. A shared fund held in one account, with receipts for every repair, prevents most disputes.
Water vendors
Vendors push jerrycans on carts to homes and shops. Prices vary by street, season and distance from the source, and rise in the dry season and during Harmattan when demand peaks. The following are examples only:
| Item (example) | Example price |
|---|---|
| One 25-litre jerrycan delivered | ₦50 – ₦150 |
| Cart of 10 jerrycans | ₦500 – ₦1,500 |
| Tanker delivery to a large tank | ₦15,000 – ₦40,000 |
A worked example of a month's water
Example: a family of five uses 12 jerrycans a day from vendors at ₦100 each. That is ₦1,200 a day, or ₦36,000 over 30 days (₦1,200 × 30). Over a year, ₦36,000 × 12 = ₦432,000, close to the lower end of the borehole cost benchmark. If public supply returns to your street, even three days a week, the vendor bill falls by about 40% (12 of every 30 days covered = 40%).
Keeping water safe
Whatever the source, store water in covered, clean containers and wash tanks regularly. Vendor water often comes from boreholes or wells whose quality you cannot see, so boil or treat drinking water, especially for young children. If you buy sachet or bottled water, check for a NAFDAC registration number on the pack. In the rainy season, look out for flooding near your borehole or well, which can contaminate it; a laboratory test after heavy flooding is a sensible check.
What to check first
- Whether your street is getting KADSWAC supply now, and the state of your connection.
- Your KADSWAC account and tariff, in writing.
- For boreholes, quotes from at least two drillers, with depth and pump size stated.
- Water quality: test borehole and vendor water before drinking, or treat it.
For other household bills in Kaduna, see the KEPA waste levy and getting a prepaid meter.
Where Pryme fits
If you are saving towards a borehole or tank, a Fixed Savings Box keeps the money aside until the date you set; see Savings Boxes.
Questions people ask
How much is KADSWAC water bill?
We could not find a published KADSWAC tariff. Ask your KADSWAC area office for the rate for your property type and get it in writing.
Is there water supply in Kaduna now?
The state said in January 2026 that supply had improved in districts including Malali, Barnawa, Ungwan Rimi and Narayi after rehabilitating Malali water works. Supply still varies by street.
How much does it cost to drill a borehole in Kaduna?
A June 2026 property guide put borehole costs at about ₦580,000 to ₦1.5 million in a Lagos context. Depth and equipment drive the price, so get local quotes.
How much do water vendors charge in Kaduna?
Prices vary by street and season. As a labelled example, a delivered 25-litre jerrycan might cost ₦50 to ₦150.
Sources
- Blueprint: Water, Uba Sani's reforms manifesting, Commissioner (11 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Ownkey: water supply solutions for Nigerian property (9 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.