Large Aquifers found in Kenya

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/world/africa/aquifers-discovered-in-drought-ridden-kenya.html?ref=science&_r=0
There was a major discovery this week of several underground aquifers in Kenya, which were found in a joint effort by the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) and the Kenyan government. One aquifer, the Lotikipi Basin, is estimated to be the size of Rhode Island, and several smaller aquifers were also found. Together, these aquifers are estimated to contain over 66 trillion gallons of water reserves. In a country where almost half the population has no access to drinking water, and even more people do not have properly sanitised water, this discovery could be crucial.
However, aquifers are not an entirely renewable resource. For example, many aquifers found in the United States were depleated faster than they could naturally replenish. When these aquifers run out, you are left with a potential lack of water in an entire community, as well as negative geological repercussions such as sinkholes. Although the article stated that the aquifers are estimated to replenish 898 billion gallons of water yearly, will that replenishment rate be enough in a country where these aquifers will be so heavily relied on for drinking and agriculture? 66 trillion is such an incomprehensibly large number that it would be easy to be ignorant of the fact that the aquifer may not last forever. With a discovery of this magnitude in a country that so desperately needs water, it would be detrimental to Kenyan society if this water basin was depleted. I hope that UNESCO realises how important is it to utilise proper environmental management in this situation in order to preserve these aquifers before they become over-exploited like so many in the United States. However, if managed properly, this aquifer could be a cruical factor in greatly improving the lives of many Kenyans.
 Hopefully, UNESCO can continue to carry out similar efforts in other areas where access to water is a concern.

L.J.