Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as sand, gravel, and other rock, much the same way that water fills a sponge.

What is groundwater in simple words?

Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.

What is groundwater in one word?

groundwater. [ ground′wô′tər ] Water that collects or flows beneath the Earths surface, filling the porous spaces in soil, sediment, and rocks. Groundwater originates from rain and from melting snow and ice and is the source of water for aquifers, springs, and wells.

What is groundwater and example?

Water that occurs below the ground and is brought to the land surface by wells or springs is referred to as groundwater. Groundwater comprises 97 percent of fresh water not tied up as ice and snow in polar ice sheets, glaciers , and snowfields. This greatly exceeds the amount of water in streams, rivers, and lakes.

Why is groundwater so important?

Groundwater, which is in aquifers below the surface of the Earth, is one of the Nations most important natural resources. It often takes more work and costs more to access groundwater as opposed to surface water, but where there is little water on the land surface, groundwater can supply the water needs of people.

How do we get groundwater?

Groundwater is (naturally) recharged by rain water and snowmelt or from water that leaks through the bottom of some lakes and rivers. There are also techniques to manage aquifer recharge and increase the amount of water infiltrating into the ground. Groundwater can be found almost everywhere.

What is the purpose of groundwater?

Groundwater accounts for nearly 95 percent of the nations fresh water resources. It can stay underground for hundreds of thousands of years, or it can come to the surface and help fill rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Groundwater can also come to the surface as a spring or be pumped from a well.

Why is it important to recharge groundwater?

Groundwater is recharged naturally by rain and snow melt and to a smaller extent by surface water (rivers and lakes). Recharge can help move excess salts that accumulate in the root zone to deeper soil layers, or into the groundwater system. Tree roots increase water saturation into groundwater reducing water runoff.

Is it good to drink underground water?

Generally, both ground water and surface water can provide safe drinking water, as long as the sources are not polluted and the water is sufficiently treated. Ground water is, in general, easier and cheaper to treat than surface water, because it tends to be less polluted.

Is ground water pure?

Groundwater is pure and hence a very safe source. Groundwater flows mainly in underground rivers. Groundwater is not connected to rivers and lakes. If a well reaches groundwater, an unlimited amount of water can be pumped.

What is groundwater and why is it important?

Groundwater, which is in aquifers below the surface of the Earth, is one of the Nations most important natural resources. Groundwater is the source of about 37 percent of the water that county and city water departments supply to households and businesses (public supply).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using groundwater?

The advantages of withdrawing groundwater include water for drinking and irrigation; availability and locality; low cost, no evaporation losses; and it is renewable. Disadvantages include aquifer depletion from over pumping, subsidence, pollution, saltwater intrusion, and reduced water flow.