2. Its human nature,
Human understand the importance of
something when it is far away from him,
And one day that something will be
Underground Water.
3. PRESENTATION CONTAINS1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Ground water – introduction
Distribution of earth’s water
Water budget
Water cycle
About some of the causes of groundwater
depletion and sources of pollution.
How to preserve and protect the
groundwater – some common tips
4. GROUND WATER
Sub-surface water, or groundwater, is
fresh water located in the pore space of soil
and rocks. It is also water that is flowing
within aquifers below the water table.
5. CLASSIC STUDY 1982
In a classic study in 1982, Bredehoeft and
colleagues modelled a situation where
groundwater extraction in an intermontane basin
withdrew the entire annual recharge, leaving
‘nothing’ for the natural groundwater-dependent
vegetation community. Even when the borefield
was situated close to the vegetation, 30% of the
original vegetation demand could still be met by
the lag inherent in the system after 100 years.
By year 500 this had reduced to 0%
6.
7. WHAT IS A WATER BUDGET?
The water budget is the balance between the water
that reaches the ground as precipitations, and the
water that leaves the ground as
evaporation, runoff, and consumption.
If the amount of precipitation of a region is greater
than the evaporation and consumption added
together, then that region has a positive water
balance, or surplus.
If, the amount of precipitation is less than the usage
and evaporation, then the region has a negative
water balance, or deficit.
8. FACTORS CONTROLLING THE WATER
BUDGET OF A REGION
The water budget of a region is influenced by
many natural factors and human activity.
Some of the natural factors are:
Climate conditions
The characteristics of soil
The type of vegetation
The type of underlying rocks, etc.
10. GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION
About 1% of the earth’s water is in the form
of groundwater.
About 30.1% of the earth’s fresh water is in
the form of groundwater.
Groundwater is a very valuable
resource, and it is in great demand.
12. OVERUSE OF GROUNDWATER
If we take out more water than the aquifer can
naturally recharge each year, then the
consequences are dramatic, and in many cases
irreversible:
Wells can dry, and human communities have no
water!
In coastal areas, by pumping put the fresh
water, salty water will take its place.
By removing the water, the rocks become more
compact, and the surface of the ground sinks . This
phenomenon is called subsidence.
14. SUBSIDENCE
By removing water from the subsoil the ground
becomes more compacted. This is an unwanted
phenomenon for two main reasons:
- once the porosity of the rocks is lost, the aquifer
can not be recharged.
-secondly, if the ground loses some of its porosity, it
reduces its volume, and sinks. San Joaquin Valley
in California subsided in some places over 9
yards, only in half of century.
15. GROUNDWATER POLLUTION
Groundwater is recharged by rain seeping down through the
soil.
Virtually, any harmful chemical that is disposed at the
surface of the ground will reach the groundwater.
Some common pollutants are:
-fertilizers and pesticides
-toxic wastes berried in the ground (common practice in the
past)
-accidental spills
-farm wastes
-sewage from septic tanks, etc
20. CONSERVATION OF GROUNDWATER
SOME COMMON TIPS
1. Dispose of chemicals properly.
2. Take used motor oil to a recycling center.
3. Limit the amount of fertilizer used on plants.
4. Take short showers.
5. Shut water off while brushing teeth.
21. CONSERVATION OF GROUNDWATER
SOME COMMON TIPS
6. Run full loads of dishes and laundry.
7. Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed.
8. Water plants only when necessary.
9. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator.
10. Get involved in water education
22. CONSERVATION OF GROUNDWATER
SOME COMMON TIPS
11. Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers
12. Using environmental friendly chemicals in
agriculture.
13. The used household water is pumped back into the
ground through wells.
14. Water is also pumped into ponds and allowed to
seep
back into the ground.
15. More awareness programmers through out the
world.