Residents of Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas in Delta State are currently experiencing a shortage of sachet water, popularly known as “pure water,” following a three-day strike embarked upon by producers in the area.
The development has disrupted supply across several communities, leaving residents struggling to access one of the most affordable sources of drinking water.
A driver of a sachet water distribution van in Effurun, Uvwie LGA, who spoke to a correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the strike began on Friday, May 1, 2026, and is expected to end on Monday, May 4, 2026.
According to him, the industrial action was triggered by rising production costs, including increases in the prices of nylon packaging materials, fuel, electricity, and other operational expenses affecting production.
He further noted that producers may be forced to adjust prices upward once production resumes, citing the current economic pressures in the sector.
The strike has worsened living conditions for many residents, particularly low-income earners who depend heavily on sachet water as a primary source of potable water.
With inflation continuing to impact household incomes, residents fear that both scarcity and possible price increases will further deepen economic hardship in the affected areas.
Stakeholders have called for urgent intervention by government authorities to address the situation, including stabilising fuel and energy costs, improving public water supply infrastructure, and facilitating dialogue between producers, regulators, and consumer protection agencies to ensure fair pricing.