Why There Are Trillions of Tons of Water in Africa, But No One Drinks It

Summary

The video discusses Africa's untapped water resources, specifically the massive aquifers beneath the continent. These aquifers hold vast amounts of water that could supply countries for years, yet remain largely unused due to issues like salinity, extraction costs, lack of infrastructure, and political complications. The video highlights the disparity between the abundance of groundwater and the severe water shortages faced by many African regions. It also touches on challenges like droughts, uneven water distribution, and how expensive drilling and water infrastructure are, despite these hidden reserves.

Takeaways

• 💧 Massive aquifers were discovered in Kenya, Namibia, and Niger, with the potential to supply water for years.
• 🌍 Africa holds around 9% of the world's freshwater, yet many regions face severe water shortages.
• 🏞️ There are 63 transboundary river basins in Africa, covering 64% of the continent, but underground aquifers hold 100 times more water than surface sources.
• 🚰 Many African aquifers are underutilized due to logistical, cost, and water quality challenges, such as salinity in some regions.
• 🔬 Scientists estimate that Africa's aquifers contain around 160,000 cubic miles of groundwater, with the largest reserves located in North Africa.
• 🏜️ Ancient fossil water in Africa's aquifers is from a time when the Sahara was a tropical forest, around 34 to 66 million years ago.
• 👷 Large-scale drilling of aquifers may not be sustainable, as many groundwater sources aren't replenished due to a lack of rain.
• 🚶 In Sub-Saharan Africa, 40% of the population lacks access to clean water, leading to long and physically demanding efforts to collect it.
• 💡 Water scarcity in Africa is due to uneven distribution of resources and difficulties in extraction, not necessarily a lack of water itself.
• 🌧️ Flooding and infrastructure damage during heavy rains also worsen the water crisis, despite Africa's vast water reserves.

Q & A

What was the significance of the discovery of the Turana aquifer in Kenya?

The Turana aquifer was significant because it was discovered to have enough water to supply all of Kenya for 70 years, indicating a massive water reserve.

How does the water volume in the newly discovered aquifers in Niger compare to Egypt's annual water demand?

The new aquifers in Niger contain over 150 trillion gallons of water, which is significantly more than Egypt's annual water demand of about 30 trillion gallons.

What is the purpose of the semi-circular earth bund with a dugout pit mentioned in the script?

The semi-circular earth bund with a dugout pit is a structure used by locals to collect rainwater, which is critical for farming and sustaining livelihoods in the region.

What percentage of the world's freshwater supply does Africa hold according to the script?

Africa holds almost 9% of the world's freshwater supplies, as mentioned in the script.

What is the volume of groundwater in African aquifers in cubic miles according to the script?

The volume of groundwater in African aquifers is about 160,000 cubic miles, which is 20 times more than the volume of freshwater in Africa's lakes.

Why has groundwater been largely ignored by researchers until recently?

Groundwater has been largely ignored because its potential applications have not been considered. However, recent maps and findings might change this perspective.

What is the main challenge with extracting water from aquifers in Africa?

The main challenge is that many groundwater reservoirs aren't getting refilled due to the absence of rain, so large-scale drilling might quickly drain the resources.

What is the current state of water access in North Africa compared to countries south of the Sahara?

In North Africa, 92% of the population has access to safe water, while in countries south of the Sahara, only 60% have access, leaving 40% without clean drinking water.

What are some of the reasons why the water scarcity in many parts of Africa isn't due to an actual shortage of water?

Water scarcity in many parts of Africa is due to uneven distribution of resources, with 54% of the continent's reserves concentrated in just six countries, while 27 countries facing severe water shortages have access to only 7%.

What are some of the logistical and cost issues associated with accessing groundwater in Africa?

Logistical and cost issues include the distance between the aquifer and the spot where the water is needed, the high cost of building pipelines and infrastructure, and the expense of drilling, which can be around $130,000 for one well.

What is the potential investment in the development of aquifers in South Africa by 2036?

It is expected that by 2036, $274 million will be invested in the development of aquifers in South Africa, which could provide about half the volume of water in the Berg River Dam.