1. Groundwater Groundwater is water that is found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock.

Groundwater is stored in--and moves slowly through--layers of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers. Aquifers typically consist of gravel, sand, sandstone, or fractured rock, like limestone. These materials are permeable because they have large connected spaces that allow water to flow through. The speed at which groundwater flows depends on the size of the spaces in the soil or rock and how well the spaces are connected. 2. Importance of Groundwater Ground water is the purest form of water available in this world, a shade purer than even the most pure water that comes out of sophisticated water purifier. Ground water is natural, devoid of any bacterial infections, though modern day ground water does have few impurities, because of the pollution thats around.

Ground water is extensively used in agricultural purpose especially irrigation systems. Ground water also plays a role in providing drinking water to villages. Most of the countries do not have water supply system in the villages, the villages turn to ground water to quench their thirst, to cook food and wash clothes.

3. Resources of Groundwater The area where water fills the aquifer is called the saturated zone (or saturation zone). The top of this zone is called the water table. The water table may be located only a foot below the grounds surface or it can sit hundreds of feet down.

Groundwater can be found almost everywhere. The water table may be deep or shallow; and may rise or fall depending on many factors. Heavy rains or melting snow may cause the water table to rise, or heavy pumping of groundwater supplies may cause the water table to fall.

4. Recharge Recharge is the process by which ground water is replenished. A recharge area is where water from precipitation is transmitted downward to an aquifer. Most areas, unless composed of solid rock or covered by development, allow a certain percentage of total precipitation to reach the water table. However, in some areas more precipitation will infiltrate than in others. Areas which transmit the most precipitation are often referred to as "high" or "critical" recharge areas. Groundwater supplies are replenished, or recharged, by rain and snow melt. In nature, groundwater recharge is supplied by rain, snowmelt, rivers, lakes, and streams. While some surface water evaporates or works its way into another watershed, other water trickles through the earth, gradually meeting up with a supply of water below the surface. It can take a long time for groundwater supplies to build up, or they can be replenished very quickly, depending on a variety of environmental factors. Humans can also create groundwater recharge. Public works agencies can reintroduce water to the ground with techniques such as specialized reservoirs to restore groundwater to previous levels or to keep groundwater levels stable. How much water infiltrates depends on vegetation cover, slope, soil composition, depth to the water table, the presence or absence of confining beds and other factors. Recharge is promoted by natural vegetation cover,

flat topography, permeable soils, a deep water table and the absence of confining beds.