Groundwater 101

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Groundwater 101

• An introduction to
• groundwater basics

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How wet is our planet?

• 70 of the earths surface is covered in water.
• The majority of this water is contained in the
  oceans as salt water.
• Other sources for water include the polar ice
  caps, the atmosphere, and groundwater.

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How wet is our planet?

• Surprisingly, less than 1 of the earths total
  supply of water is readily suitable for drinking.

• Of this supply of drinking water, 98 of it is
  found in underground aquifers.
• This water source is called groundwater.

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What is groundwater?

• Groundwater is water that is found underground in
  the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rocks.
• Groundwater is stored inand moves slowly
  throughgeologic formations called aquifers.

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Why is groundwater important?

• Groundwater is a source of drinking water for
  more than 50 of the people in the U.S.
• Agricultural irrigation is the largestuser of
  groundwater.
• Paper manufacturing, food processing, and other
  industrial processes also use a large amount of
  groundwater.

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Where is groundwater found?

• Groundwater is available, at least in small
  amounts, nearly everywhere, though the quantity
  available varies from one region to another based
  on geologic materials and other conditions.
• Humans access groundwater with the use of a pump
  driven water well or windmill.

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How does groundwater move?

• Underground, water slowly moves from an aquifers
  recharge areas (areas where water seeps into the
  aquifer from rain fall, snow melt, etc.) to its
  discharge area (like streams, springs and lakes).
• Groundwater is always moving (this is called
  groundwater flow) and moves very slowly--only
  inches per year.

Hydrologic Cycle
condensation
transpiration
precipitation
evaporation
recharge area
runoff
infiltration
water table
aquifer
groundwater flow
discharge area
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What causes groundwater contamination?

• Leaky underground storage tanks
• Poorly constructed landfills and septic systems
• Improperly abandoned mines and wells
• The overuse of fertilizers, pesticides, and road
  salts
• Runoff from livestock confinement areas
• Careless industrial and manufacturing
  organizations

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What are the effects of groundwater contamination?

• Groundwater contaminated with bacteria,
  chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can result
  in serious human health problems.
• Although it is possible to clean up groundwater
  contamination, it may cost communities several
  millions of dollarsand can double or triple the
  cost of water.
• It costs far less to prevent contamination than
  attempt to clean it up.

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How can groundwater contamination be prevented?

• Development of wellhead protection areas.
• Public information and education on groundwater.
• Proper use, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
• Monitoring activities.
• Land use planning and implementation programs.

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What can I do?

• Dispose of chemicals properly.
• Take used motor oil to a recycling center.
• Limit the amount of fertilizer used on plants.
• Take short showers.
• Shut off water while brushing teeth.
• Run full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed.
• Water plants only when necessary.
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the
  refrigerator.
• Get involved in water education.

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• The Groundwater Foundation
• P.O. Box 22558
• Lincoln, NE 68542-2558
• 1-800-858-4844
• www.groundwater.org
• info_at_groundwater.org