It turns out the Continental Shelf has been holding a secret from the ages. Beneath the sea floor off the U.S. northeast lies an enormous reserve of fresh water whose existence was long unknown, then was suspected and now is confirmed. The first global expedition to drill systematically for undersea fresh water has come away with thousands of samples of it. On the drilling platform of Expedition 501, scientists voiced hope to visiting Associated Press journalists that this so-called secret fresh water can help slake the planet’s growing thirst. The United Nations forecasts that the global demand for fresh water will exceed supplies by 40% in just five years.