How extraction of ground water can spur economy, end shortages

Water flowing from a tap. [David Gichuru, Standard]

During a recent prayer breakfast, I experienced a long-awaited and truly captivating session with renowned water experts Dr Alain Gachet, Clement Gachet and their team members.

The world-renowned duo introduced me to a groundbreaking innovation that showcased how technology can transform our future relationship with water.

The team has developed a groundbreaking technology known as WATAI, that could revolutionise how we access and manage the precious resource.

Dr Gachet, renowned for his discovery of a massive underground freshwater mass in Turkana County, employs advanced hydrogeology, geophysics, and satellite imagery to pinpoint and manage groundwater with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. It not only identifies the best drilling sites but also optimises resource use, reducing exploration costs by up to 80 per cent and ensuring sustainable extraction. 

This revelation fascinated me, not least, because of Kenya’s dire need for sustainable water solutions. The country grapples with a severe water crisis, harshly highlighted by the fact that each Kenyan has access to just 600 cubic metres of water annually - far below the UN’s recommended minimum of 1,000 cubic metres.

With only 60 per cent of the population accessing safe drinking water and a mere 30 per cent having basic sanitation facilities, the nation faces a dire situation intensified by climate change’s erratic patterns of droughts and floods. 

However, the crisis presents a hidden opportunity - Groundwater! Comprising 97 per cent of the world’s freshwater, groundwater remains underutilised in Kenya, where according to various sources, only about 15 per cent of the country’s water resources have been developed.

This untapped potential offers a sustainable answer to our water woes, less vulnerable to immediate impacts of climate change compared to surface water.

A surprising aspect of the WATAI technology is its accessibility through a smartphone app, marking it the first of its kind globally. This app has capacity to find water at depths of up to 80 metres—beyond which, the experts argue, further drilling becomes a waste of resources. 

This is not about marketing a product, because there are indeed many ways of finding and extracting ground water. My intention is to underscore the place of innovation in supporting the pursuit of the global sustainability goals, enhancing environmental sustainability through managed aquifer recharge and afforestation to ensure water extraction doesn’t harm ecological balance.

We must seek and find efficient ways identifying stable and reliable water sources, crucial for agriculture and food security, and fosters rural economic development, even amid severe weather fluctuations.

The urgency of adopting such solutions cannot be overstated. Experts estimate that up to ten million Kenyans currently rely on contaminated surface water, leading to preventable waterborne diseases and poor sanitation. Groundwater, typically cleaner and safer, could drastically reduce these health risks and improve public health outcomes across the country. 

While the potential benefits are clear, challenges such as need for significant investment and risk of resource depletion through over-extraction, must be addressed.

Sustainable management practices, including regular monitoring, promoting recharge, and protecting recharge areas, are crucial. These measures ensure groundwater remains a viable solution for future generations. Kenya stands at a critical juncture. By harnessing the hidden wealth beneath our feet and leveraging such cutting-edge technologies, we can move towards water self-sufficiency.

It is a call to action for all stakeholders—policymakers, community leaders, and citizens—to support and implement water solutions which integrate modern technology with traditional water management practices. Let us be the vanguards of change, ensuring water security and sustainability through conscious, collective action.

Groundwater is not merely an alternative; it is the future. And appropriate technology is the key that will unlock it. Think green, act green!