GROUNDWATER

1.
Definition of
Groundwater
Nerrizza Rei C. Nicor
 “ Groundwater is water that is
located below the earth's surface. Over
time, water from rain and rivers
migrates through the ground and is
stored in porous soils and rocks. The
study of groundwater is known as
hydrogeology.
▪
“ Groundwater is the water beneath
the surface of the ground, consisting
largely of surface water that has
seeped down: the source of water in
springs and wells.
 “ Groundwater, water that occurs below
the surface of Earth, where it occupies all or part
of the void spaces in soils or geologic strata. It is
also called subsurface water to distinguish it from
surface water, which is found in large bodies like
the oceans or lakes or which flows overland in
streams.
2.
Importance of
Groundwater
Groundwater is the largest
reservoir of fresh water
that is readily available to
humans.
▪ Groundwater will become
increasingly important as a
water source as we grapple
with growing cities and
booming populations, not
to mention climate change.
▪ The volume of fresh water
in all the world’s lakes,
rivers and swamps adds up
to less than 1% of that of
fresh groundwater.
▪ Groundwater is the
world’s most extracted
raw material withdrawal
rates currently in the
estimated range of 982
km3/year.
▪ About 60 percent of
groundwater withdrawn
worldwide is used for
agriculture; the rest is
almost equally divided
between the domestic
and industrial sectors.
▪ In many nations, more
than half of the
groundwater withdrawn
is for domestic water
supplies and globally it
provides 25 to 40
percent of the world’s
drinking water.
▪ Globally, about 38 percent
of irrigated lands are
equipped for irrigation
with groundwater.
▪ It is likely to be free of
pathogenic bacteria.
▪ Generally, it may be used
without further treatment.
▪ In many instances it can
be found in the close
vicinity of rural
communities.
▪ The water-bearing stratum
from which it is drawn
usually provides a natural
storage at the point of
intake.
▪ It can also be
advantageous in areas
regularly affected by
flooding and earthquakes,
or where electricity and
water bills are regularly
rising in cost.
▪ Ground water harvesting
is not subject to any type
of public regulation,
including outside utility
control or pipeline
interruptions that may
occur due to natural
disasters.
▪ Reduction of mosquito
population in damp
breeding grounds and
immediate availability to
water if a fire needs to be
put out.
▪ It is collected in its pure,
natural form, which makes
it free of chemicals often
found in city ordinance
water.
▪ Free to the harvesters,
reducing monthly costs
with the elimination of a
water bill
 References
▪ https://www.slideshare.net/gladz1/groundwat
er-15613841
▪ https://www.un-igrac.org/what-groundwater
▪ https://www.ukessays.com/essays/environme
ntal-sciences/what-is-the-importance-of-
groundwater-environmental-sciences-
essay.php
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 References
▪ https://www.ukessays.com/essays/environme
ntal-sciences/what-is-the-importance-of-
groundwater-environmental-sciences-
essay.php
▪ http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/water/groun
d.htm
▪ http://www.dictionary.com/browse/groundwat
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er
 References
▪ https://eponline.com/articles/2016/03/09/the
-importance-of-groundwater.aspx?m=1
▪ https://getrevising.co.uk/grids/advantages-
and-disadvantages-of-groundwater-supply
▪ https://www.hunker.com/12003208/advantag
es-and-disadvantages-of-ground-water-
harvesting
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 References
▪ http://www.gwd.org.za/book/export/html/262
▪ http://www.gwd.org.za/book/export/html/262

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