Vast aquifer found in Namibia could last for centuries

A newly discovered water source in Namibia could have a major impact on development in the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa.

Estimates suggest the aquifer could supply the north of the country for 400 years at current rates of consumption.
Scientists say the water is up to 10,000 years old but is cleaner to drink than many modern sources.
However, there are concerns that unauthorised drilling could threaten the new supply.
Huge resource For the people of northern Namibia water is something that they either have too much of or too little.
The 800,000 people who live in the area depend for their drinking water on a 40-year-old canal that brings the scarce resource across the border from Angola.

The amount of stored water would equal the current supply of this area in northern Namibia for 400 years”

Martin Quinger Project manager

Over the past decade the Namibian government have been trying to tackle the lack of a sustainable supply in partnership with researchers from Germany and other EU countries. 

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18875385