In a statement from the University of Warwick, Dr Roberto Raddi, of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Group, commented on the findings,"Our research has found that, rather than being unique, water-rich asteroids similar to those found in our Solar System appear to be frequent. Accordingly, many of planets may have contained a volume of water, comparable to that contained in the Earth."
"It is believed that the Earth was initially dry, but our research strongly supports the view that the oceans we have today were created as a result of impacts by water-rich comets or asteroids".
(Source: Phys.org and University of Warwick)