Discover 10,000-year-old precious groundwater

A recently discovered 10,000-year-old groundwater circuit in Namibia could play an important role in the driest nation of sub-Saharan Africa.

The newly discovered groundwater source, Ohangwena II , has been around for 10,000 years, flowing below the border between Angola and Namibia. This water source covers a large area in northern Namibia with an area of ​​about 70km x 40km.

New groundwater circuits are found to be very important to Namibia

According to a preliminary assessment by scientists from Germany's Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), this groundwater source can serve the entire population of northern Namibia within 400 years, based above the current water consumption.

According to Martin Quinger, project director, BGR member, this groundwater source is very valuable.'The amount of water that this groundwater owns is equivalent to a 400-year supply of water to northern Namibia, which accounts for 40% of the country's population.'

The country that supplies more than 800,000 people in northern Namibia now depends on a 40-year-old canal that is running out. Therefore, for decades, Namibia has sought water by cooperating with scientists from Germany and some European countries.

Because there is a layer of saltwater underground water on groundwater, it is possible for people to drill illegal water wells to ruin this valuable water source.

Quinger said: 'Drilling of wells that do not comply with technical regulations will create a pathway of water from the upper saline water layer to permeate the clean water layer below or vice versa.'

According to the BBC, one of the biggest advantages of this groundwater source is that it can help indigenous peoples deal with climate change. According to calculations by scientists, this water source can make natural reserve water up to 15 years when drought occurs.