Household waste disposal attitude and perception of flood risk in Somolu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban flooding is a perennial problem in Lagos state, Nigeria, given its location by the coastline, improper drainage and waste management, and a rapid rate of urbanization. Practices of open waste dumping into drainages in higher elevation areas increase flood risk downslope. The study thus analyzed residents’ perception of flood risk and household waste disposal in Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos State, to further understand the situation of waste in the area as well as the relationship between flooding and waste disposal practices along varying degrees of elevation. Spatial and non-spatial data sources were utilized via field measurements using GPS and a social survey, where the questionnaire was administered to 200 respondents.  The findings reveal that the elevation of the area varied from 2m to 20m above sea level. Generally, waste is collected mainly in waste baskets. It is disposed of in waste trucks and public bins, with a few respondents alluding to disposing of it in drainage and on roadsides. Public bins were used mainly in high-elevation areas, facilitating a higher rate of disposal than those in the mid and low elevations, which rely mainly on the waste vans. Only about 35% of the respondents experienced frequent flooding in their streets, the majority blaming it on the dumping of refuse in unsanctioned places. Increased efficiency by waste van operators, proper maintenance of public bins, and adoption of more flood-resilient management strategies, especially in the lowlands, were recommended.