Massive Fresh Water Source Discovered In Kenya

September 12, 2013

A massive aquifer that holds enough water to meet all of Kenya's needs for 70 years has been discovered, ITV News can reveal.

The pool, which was found more than 300 metres underground, is so large you could pour Loch Ness into it approximately 25 times.

What is an aquifer?

• It is an underground layer of water-bearing material, such as gravel, sand and silt.
• Water can be extracted from the materials by using a well.

The newly discovered Lotikipi Basin Aquifer could provide water to Kenya for 70 years. But just as importantly the aquifer is replenished from distant mountains. So it should never run dry, assuming it is managed properly.

"We now have a tool that could not only help Kenya, but it could help other countries facing the issues of water scarcity," said Abou Amani, a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue.

The massive aquifer is approximately 62 miles long by 41 miles wide. It contains an estimated 200 billion cubic metres of fresh water. UNESCO and the Kenyan government - funded by Japan - have been using satellite, radar and geological technology in a bid to find supplies of water. Earlier this year, they discovered five aquifers in north west Kenya and began exploratory drilling on two. As well as Lotikipi, a much smaller pool of water was found in Lodwar.

UNESCO is also exploring possible new water sources in other Africa countries such as South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya.

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Source: iTV.com | Images: iTV News