Huge underground water supply discovered in drought-stricken Kenya
Aquifer brings hope and the promise of prosperity to tens of millions without adequate water, Kenyan environment minister says.
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The high-tech discovery of a 70-year water supply under the arid plains of drought-stricken northern Kenya brings hope and the promise of prosperity to tens of millions without adequate water, the Kenyan environment minister says.
Judi Wakhungu announced the discovery of the 207-cubic-kilometre Lotikipi Basin Aquifer at a water security meeting in Nairobi with the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization, which sponsored the exploration.
“Kenya water discovery brings hope for drought relief in rural north,” Wakhungu announced via Twitter.
A smaller aquifer, a reserve of underground water, has also been identified using advanced satellite technology supplied by the French company Radar Technologies International, it was announced Wednesday.
The Lotikipi aquifer is estimated at 207 cubic kilometres of water. By contrast, Lake Ontario holds 1,639 cubic kilometres of water and Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, holds 12,100 cubic kilometres.
The discovery of vast stores of water underneath parched ground in one of the driest and poorest regions of Kenya could change the lives of millions. Of Kenya’s 41 million people, UNESCO says, “17 million lack access to safe water and 28 million do not have adequate sanitation.”
A UNESCO scientist who was part of the discovery team told the British TV network ITV News the discovery “could be a game changer within the country.”
Said Abou Amani, “I’m not saying this could solve all of the problems because from finding water to providing water to the population is another step. We need to have investment, we need to put in place infrastructure and so on.
“But we have seen the system and the fact water is there, and that is extremely important and it could be a game changer within the country.”
UNESCO drilling confirmed the aquifers but the quality of the water still has to be tested, the UN agency said.
The Lotikipi Basin Aquifer “represents nearly double the amount of water that Kenyans consume today” RTI said in a news release.
The prehistoric lake “could be part of the ‘Land of Marvels,’ the ancient sources of the Nile that were explored by Queen Hatshepsut some 3,500 years ago,” RTI said.
The smaller Lodwar Basin Aquifer “could serve as a strategic reserve for the development of Lodwar, the capital of Turkana County, provided the reserve is confirmed,” the UN said.
Wakhungu called the discovery a critical scientific breakthrough for her country.
“The news about these water reserves comes at a time when reliable water supplies are highly needed,” she said in a statement from the Nairobi meeting.
“This newly found wealth of water opens a door to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation as a whole.”
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