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The short answer
Most Ilorin households rely on groundwater from boreholes and wells, topped up by public pipe supply where it reaches and by water vendors or tankers in the dry season. Kwara's water resources commissioner said in 2023 that over 80% of people in the state depend on underground water. As a labelled example, a household buying all its water from tankers can spend far more per year than the running cost of a shared borehole.
Where Ilorin's water comes from
Households in Ilorin typically use some mix of four sources:
- Public pipe supply
- Water from the state's waterworks through mains, run by the state's public water utility (often called the water board). Coverage and regularity vary by area; many streets get it irregularly or not at all.
- Borehole
- Drilled well with a pump, usually serving a house or compound. The most common way buildings secure steady water.
- Hand-dug well
- Older and cheaper, common in older parts of the city; can run low in the dry season and needs treating for drinking.
- Vendors and tankers
- Water bought by the jerrycan from pushcart vendors, or by the truckload from tankers, to fill an overhead or ground tank.
In March 2023 the Kwara Commissioner for Water Resources said more than 80% of people in the state depend on underground water for domestic, farming and industrial use. In July 2025, the state said World Bank-supported ACReSAL funds were being used to renovate about five waterworks. Ask your landlord whether your street has a working public connection and how often it flows.
Boreholes: cost and the drilling warning
A borehole is a large upfront cost but cheap per litre once working. Its running costs are electricity (or fuel for a generator) for the pump, and occasional repairs.
The state has raised concerns about how boreholes are drilled. At a 2023 meeting with hydrogeologists, the commissioner said drilling was unregulated across the state, that boreholes once drilled to 30 to 45 metres were now being drilled to 100 to 150 metres, and urged drillers to seek government permission before drilling. If you plan to drill, ask the Ministry of Water Resources about current permission requirements first, and use a qualified driller who gives a written depth, casing and pump specification.
Tankers and vendors
Buying water is the costliest option over a year, and prices rise in the dry season when wells run low and demand jumps. Tankers sell by the trip, often a set volume to fill your tank; vendors sell jerrycans. Prices also follow fuel, because water has to be pumped and trucked.
Worked example: a year of water for a family of five
| Option | Example cost basis | Example yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tanker only | 2 trips a month × ₦15,000 | ₦360,000 |
| Share of compound borehole | ₦4,000 a month toward power and maintenance | ₦48,000 |
| Borehole plus dry-season tanker | ₦48,000 + 4 tanker trips × ₦15,000 | ₦108,000 |
| Vendors (jerrycans) only | 20 jerrycans a week × ₦100 × 52 weeks | ₦104,000 |
In this example, a household relying only on tankers spends ₦360,000 − ₦48,000 = ₦312,000 more a year than one sharing a working borehole. That gap is worth weighing when you choose where to rent; see rent in Ilorin by area.
What to check before you rent or buy
- Is there a working borehole, and who pays for its power and repairs?
- Is the building connected to the public supply, and how often does it flow?
- How big is the storage tank, and is it covered and cleaned?
- Is drinking water treated, or will you need to buy sachet or bottled water?
- In a shared compound, is the water cost written into the tenancy or service charge?
Pump power comes from IBEDC supply or a generator; see buying IBEDC tokens in Ilorin for the electricity side.
Drinking water safety
- Treat well and borehole water before drinking unless it has been tested
- Keep tanks covered and clean them regularly
- Buy sachet and bottled water from sellers with intact seals and labels
Public supply and its cost
Where the public mains reach your street, piped water from the state's water utility is usually the cheapest water per litre, though flow can be irregular. We could not find a published current domestic tariff from the utility, so ask its Ilorin office what it charges, how bills are issued and how to pay, and keep receipts. Where supply is irregular, many homes keep a storage tank filled from the mains when it flows, and switch to the borehole or a tanker when it does not. A large tank and a float valve let you catch more of the public supply when it comes, which reduces how often you buy water.
Where Pryme fits
Water is a regular household cost that is easy to forget until the tank runs dry. A Personal Assistant can remind you to set money aside for tanker trips or borehole repairs; it prepares, and you approve every payment (Personal Assistant). A Flexible Savings Box can hold a repair fund (Savings Boxes).
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to drill a borehole in Ilorin?
It depends on depth and equipment. As a labelled example, a borehole with pump and tank stand might cost ₦1.5m to ₦3m; get written quotes and check state permission requirements first.
Do I need permission to drill a borehole in Kwara?
In 2023 the Kwara Commissioner for Water Resources urged drillers to seek government permission before drilling. Ask the Ministry of Water Resources for current requirements.
How much is a water tanker in Ilorin?
Prices vary by volume, distance and season. As a labelled example, ₦15,000 a trip; prices rise in the dry season and with fuel.
Does Ilorin have pipe-borne water?
Some areas are connected to the public supply, but flow varies by area. Over 80% of people in Kwara rely on underground water, according to the state's commissioner in 2023.
Sources
- Voice of Nigeria: Kwara State Government appeals for curtail of excessive borehole drilling (11 Mar 2023) · accessed Oct 2026
- Voice of Nigeria: Kwara boosts environmental protection, launches bins, trucks (26 Jul 2025) · 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.