Onitsha Residents Celebrate as Pipe-Borne Water Returns After 25 Years

For the first time in 25 years, residents of Onitsha, Anambra State’s commercial hub, have experienced the long-lost joy of clean, running water flowing from public taps.

The return of pipe-borne water this week triggered widespread celebration, with locals pouring into the streets to sing, dance, and express gratitude to the government for what many described as a “historic restoration.”

For decades, Onitsha residents endured severe water shortages, relying on sachet water, private boreholes, and unsafe vendor supplies. The situation not only drained household finances but also posed serious health risks across communities.

Now, with the successful reactivation of the Greater Onitsha Water Scheme, clean water has finally returned a breakthrough credited to the Anambra State Water Corporation and the renewed commitment of the current administration to restore essential infrastructure.

The ambitious rehabilitation project involved overhauling treatment plants, replacing aged distribution pipes, and resolving long-standing financial and administrative challenges.

Community leaders hailed the development as a “return to dignity”, emphasizing its impact on public health and daily life.

“This is a symbolic and historic feat. We are witnessing the return of basic human dignity,” said a community elder in the Awka Road area, one of the first zones to receive supply.

For residents like Mrs. Nkechi Okoye, the restoration carries deep emotional significance.

“I grew up fetching water from streams. My children never believed they’d see taps running again. This is more than water it’s relief and hope.”

Local businesses are also celebrating, anticipating reduced costs and improved sanitation standards as dependence on costly private sources fades.

While the achievement has been widely praised, the next challenge lies in sustainability. The state government aims to implement a robust management model to ensure uninterrupted supply and long-term system maintenance.

The return of pipe-borne water after 25 years is more than an infrastructure victory it’s a symbol of progress, renewal, and restored public trust.

For Onitsha’s millions of residents, the sound of flowing water once again signals the beginning of a brighter, healthier, and more dignified future.