The concept of “primary water” refers to a theoretical source of water originating from deep within the Earth’s mantle or crust, distinct from the planet’s familiar surface water cycle. Proponents suggest this water has never been part of the atmosphere, oceans, or surface groundwater systems. This proposed source is described as being generated by geological forces, constantly replenishing itself and existing independently of precipitation. The theory positions this deep-earth source as a potential solution to global water scarcity, suggesting a virtually limitless supply available through deep drilling.
The Conceptual Definition of Primary Water
The theory of primary water centers on the idea of juvenile or magmatic water, a substance believed to be generated deep within the lithosphere. Proponents suggest this water is formed through the chemical combination of elemental hydrogen and oxygen under the immense pressures and temperatures found in the Earth’s interior, often in association with primary minerals and cooling magma. This mechanism posits a continuous process of water creation or release from deep geological structures, rather than a finite reservoir.
This proposed source is sharply contrasted with meteoric water, which is derived from precipitation like rain or melted snow. Meteoric water infiltrates the ground to become the vast majority of traditional groundwater, making it fundamentally part of the surface hydrological cycle. In contrast, primary water is claimed to be pushed upward under pressure through rock fissures and faults, never having participated in the atmospheric cycle until it surfaces. Proponents describe it as a purer, constantly refreshing source that does not deplete traditional aquifers.
Historical Context and Key Proponents
The idea of deep-earth water has historical roots, but it was formalized in the modern era by a few key figures. One early mention came from Finnish-Swedish geologist Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld, who wrote in 1896 about drilling for water in primary rock formations. This work explored the possibility of water sources separate from surface precipitation.
The term “primary water” was popularized and systematized by Stephan Riess (1898–1985), a German-American geochemist and geo-hydrologist. Beginning in the 1930s, Riess actively promoted the theory, claiming to have located and drilled hundreds of successful wells in the United States and internationally. His work was driven by the conviction that tapping these deep, constantly generated sources could resolve issues of drought and water scarcity.
Riess presented his findings as a practical application of a “geo-hydrology” focused on deep-earth water, distinct from traditional hydro-geology. His assertions about locating high-yield, persistent water sources in arid regions brought significant attention to the theory in the mid-20th century. The non-profit Primary Water Institute was later established by his protégé to continue his work.
Mainstream Scientific Perspective and Evidence
The mainstream scientific community, encompassing geology and hydrology, acknowledges the existence of deep-earth water while largely dismissing the claims made by the primary water theory. Geologists accept the existence of juvenile or magmatic water, which is water vapor dissolved in molten rock released during volcanic activity. However, this small amount of water is not considered a significant or accessible source for the surface hydrological system.
Modern geophysical research confirms that the Earth’s mantle holds vast quantities of water, potentially exceeding the volume of all the world’s oceans. This deep water is not free-flowing like an aquifer; it is chemically bound within the crystal structures of high-pressure mantle minerals, such as ringwoodite, at depths between 410 and 660 kilometers. This water is inaccessible, structurally integrated into the rock, and exists as a supercritical fluid, not a readily pumpable liquid.
The primary water theory’s claim of constantly generated, easily tapped water near the surface is largely rejected by mainstream science. A primary critique involves isotopic analysis, which is the standard for determining a water source’s origin. Studies conducted by organizations like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigated wells claimed by Riess to be primary water.
These official analyses repeatedly found that the water possessed the isotopic signature of meteoric water, meaning it originated from surface precipitation that had infiltrated the ground. Water that has cycled through the atmosphere has a specific ratio of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes distinct from water created deep within the Earth, providing clear evidence of its origin. Proponents often argue that primary water is distinguishable by the absence of tritium, but this does not negate the comprehensive isotopic evidence pointing toward a meteoric origin for most groundwater.
Furthermore, the concept violates the established understanding of the hydrological cycle, which successfully accounts for the vast majority of groundwater resources through the infiltration of precipitation. While deep geological faults can channel water under pressure, scientific evidence indicates this is typically meteoric water that has penetrated deep into the crust, rather than water being generated continuously from the mantle in economically viable quantities.