Groundwater is the water stored underground in rock cavities and in earth’s fractures. An impervious layer of crystalline rock or an impermeable deposit is known as an aquifer once it is capable of supplying a usable volume of water. In most cases, the groundwater resource is confined to the underground portions of boreholes, wellbores, and other deep wells. Aquifers are usually located below the earth’s surface and occupy large cavities of space.
One of the major uses of groundwater is for drinking water, but it is also used for irrigation in the form of precipitation and on agricultural land. Groundwater also provides hydropower for hydroelectric power plants, which in turn provides us with our electricity needs. With such a large amount of groundwater stored below the surface, any changes to the groundwater quality will have drastic effects on both ecosystems and the economy. For more information on groundwater and Land Remediation Services, visit Soilfix.
Most rivers, streams and lakes contain significant amounts of groundwater. Groundwater can be pumped from wells, however, before it may be available for use. Surface water and groundwater are usually separated using the process of mineral absorption or filtration. Water that is chemically treated with biologically harmless chemicals is called treated water while water that does not undergo treatment is termed groundwater. Groundwater supplies are replenished from precipitation and, through natural processes, are brought into contact with the surface water. It is important to keep the water table level in wells and other underground storage pits consistent.