Week 5:

Groundwater - 1

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 Groundwater
• Groundwater refers to water that is found beneath the
Earth’s surface in the pores and spaces within soil,
sand, and rock formations. It is one of the Earth’s most
valuable natural resources, providing a source of fresh
water for drinking, agriculture, and industrial purposes.

• Groundwater is replenished by precipitation that

infiltrates into the ground and moves downward
through the soil and rock layers. It may be stored in
underground aquifers, which are layers of porous rock,
gravel, or sand that can hold and transmit water.
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The Edwards Aquifer is a major groundwater source and karst
aquifer located in south-central Texas, United States. The aquifer
covers an area of approximately 8,000 square miles (20,000 square
kilometers) and is the primary source of drinking water for over
two million people, as well as a vital source of irrigation water for
agriculture.

The Edwards Aquifer is made up of porous limestone and is

primarily recharged by rainfall and surface water that infiltrates the
ground. The water in the aquifer is generally of high quality and is
naturally filtered by the limestone.
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 Groundwater from different aspects
• Quantity: Groundwater makes up a significant portion of the
world’s fresh water resources, accounting for about 20% of the
Earth’s total freshwater supply. It is estimated that over 2 billion
people worldwide rely on groundwater as their primary source of
drinking water.

• Physical properties: Groundwater has physical properties that

are different from surface water, such as rivers and lakes. It is
often cooler and clearer than surface water because it is filtered
by the soil and rock layers through which it moves. It also tends
to have lower levels of bacteria and contaminants compared to
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surface water.
 Groundwater from different aspects
• Movement: Groundwater moves very slowly, typically only a
few meters per year, and its movement can be influenced by
various factors such as soil type, topography, and climate. The
movement of groundwater can also be affected by human
activities, such as pumping from wells or the construction of
underground tunnels and storage facilities.
• Quality: Groundwater quality can vary depending on the
geological and hydrological conditions in the area. In some
cases, groundwater can become contaminated with pollutants
such as pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals. Once
contaminated, it can be very difficult and expensive to clean up.
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 Groundwater from different aspects
• Sustainability: Groundwater is a renewable resource, but it can
also be overused and depleted if not managed properly. Over-
pumping can lead to long-term declines in water levels and
reduced water quality, which can have serious environmental and
economic impacts.

• Importance: Groundwater is an important resource for many

communities around the world, particularly in areas where
surface water is limited or unavailable. It is used for a variety of
purposes, including drinking water, irrigation, and industrial
processes.
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 Groundwater Zones
• Vadose zone: This is the unsaturated zone above the water table where the spaces between soil particles are filled
with air and some water. This zone is also known as the unsaturated zone or the zone of aeration.

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 Groundwater Zones
• Water table zone: This is the region where the groundwater table intersects the ground surface. The water table
fluctuates based on variations in rainfall, groundwater recharge rates, and human activities such as groundwater
pumping.

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 Groundwater Zones
• Phreatic zone: This is the region below the water table where all the pores and fractures in the rock or sediment are
filled with water. The phreatic zone is also known as the saturated zone or the zone of saturation.

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 Groundwater Zones
• Confined zone: This is a region of groundwater that is confined between two layers of impermeable rock or
sediment, creating a pressurized aquifer. The water in a confined aquifer is often under pressure and can flow
rapidly through wells.

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 Groundwater Zones
• Perched zone: This is a region of groundwater that occurs above the main water table in a local zone of saturation,
usually caused by an impermeable layer of rock or soil. Perched zones can occur in areas with high amounts of
rainfall or in areas with topographic features such as hills or valleys.

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 Groundwater Zones
1. Water infiltrating into the soil first enters the unsaturated zone, where
air and water exists
2. Water percolating deeper reaches the saturated zone.
3. At water table (WT), pressure is atmospheric.
4. Right above water table, there is capillary fringe
5. Groundwater has impervious layer as the lower boundary.
6. Streams that are above the WT feed the groundwater (influent)
7. Streams that are below the WT are fed by the groundwater (effluent)

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 The Pressure of Groundwater

• Vadose zone: The pressure in the vadose zone is

typically lower than in the water table zone because the
pores in the soil and rock are partially filled with air
instead of water.

• Water table zone: In the water table zone, the pressure

of the groundwater is atmospheric, which means it is
equal to the pressure of the air above the water table.

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 The Pressure of Groundwater
• Phreatic zone: As the groundwater flows deeper into the
subsurface, the weight of the overlying water and
sediment causes the pressure to increase. In the phreatic
zone, the pressure of the groundwater is greater than
atmospheric pressure.

• Confined zone: In a confined aquifer, the water is under

pressure because it is confined between layers of
impermeable rock or sediment. The pressure in a
confined aquifer can be several times greater than
atmospheric pressure, and the water can flow rapidly
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through wells.
 Aquifers
• Groundwater is the water that seeps into the ground from precipitation and collects in the cavities, cracks and crevices of the
underground. Aquifer means water-bearing layer. In general, most of the fresh water on earth is found in underground. Just as a stream
has a drainage basin or precipitation area, a groundwater reservoir has a similar drainage area. The drainage area of the groundwater
constitutes the area covered by the water separation lines of the underground water surface. Generally, the water separation line of the
earth does not overlap with the water parting line of the groundwater surface. Springs occur when groundwater comes to the surface.

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Source : https://mavensnotebook.com/2013/09/03/mavens-minutes-water-storage-part-2-how-groundwater-banking-is-done-a-look-at-three-successful-operations/
 Aquifers
1. Unconfined Aquifer: An aquifer without an impermeable cover is called an aquifer. In free surface groundwater beds, the water
surface changes in a wavy manner, depending on the area of filling and discharge of water, the flow rate drawn from the wells and the
permeability of the ground. Depending on the change in the volume of water stored in the aquifer, the water surface lowers or rises.

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 Aquifers
2. Confined Aquifer: An aquifer containing pressurized water confined by two impermeable layers. This type of waterbed is formed
when the water-bearing layer is compressed between two impermeable layers. Confined aquifers are also called artesian.

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 Aquifers
3. Perched Aquifer: These aquifers are considered a sort of free aquifer. The water filtered from the ground surface collects on the lens
or bowl-shaped impermeable units in the unsaturated region towards the depth of the ground and forms the aquifer. The amount of
groundwater in such aquifers depends on the geometry of the perched aquifer.

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