WorldWide Drilling Resource

85 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2013 Large Groundwater Reserves Discovered in Kenya Adapted from Information by the UNESCO The groundwater mapping project, GRIDMAP (Groundwater Resources Investigation for Drought Mitigation in Africa Programme), performed through a partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and the govern- ment of Kenya, discovered two large aquifers in Turkana County in drought- stricken northern Kenya. The two aquifers, the Lotikipi and the Lodwar Basins, were identified using advanced satellite exploration technolo- gy. Their existence was confirmed by recent exploration drilling conducted by UNESCO. Although additional studies must be done to quantify the reserves and assess the quality of the water, the dis- covery has thepotential to contributegreatly to Kenya’s economic development. GRIDMAPused remote sensing, seis- mic, and conventional groundwater infor- mation to explore and map groundwater occurrence over large areas in short peri- ods of time. The Lotikipi Basin Aquifer was located west of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake. This aquifer alone could potentially in- crease Kenya’s strategic water reserves. If the reserve is confirmed, the small- er Lodwar Basin Aquifer could serve as a strategic reserve for the development of Lodwar, the capital of Turkana County. Three additional aquifers have also been identified in other parts of Turkana; however, additional exploration drilling is necessary to confirm those resources. Announcing the findings during the opening session of the UNESCOStrategic and High-Level Meeting onWater Security and Cooperation, Judi Wakhungu, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources said the results were a critical scientific break- through for the country. “The news about these water reserves comes at a time when reliable water supplies are highly needed. 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. We must now work to further explore these resources responsibly and safeguard them for future generations,” she said. Kenya’s vulnerability and water in- security caused by unreliable rainfall Water gushing out of a borehole during the flushing process. © UNESCO Nairobi Office. amounts were key factors in the deci- sion to identify and understand ground- water aquifers in Kenya. The country is home to over 41 million people, 17 mil- lion of which lack access to safe water. “UNESCO is proud to be a part of this important finding, which clearly demon- strates how science and technology can contribute to industrialization and eco- nomic growth, and to resolving real soci- etal issues like access to water,” said UNESCO’s assistant director-general for natural sciences, Gretchen Kalonji. “It is indeed in line with UNESCO’s vision for science for sustainable development, and we will continue to support Africa to unlock the full potential of its invisible water wealth." The Government of Kenya also announced the launch of a national groundwater mapping program which will be implemented with UNESCO to assist county governments in identifying and assessing groundwater resources.