Porous, well-saturated layers of sand, gravel, or bed rock are called aquifers. ... An artesian well
How do aquifers naturally get more water?
Water in aquifers is brought to the surface naturally through a spring or can be discharged into lakes and streams . Groundwater can also be extracted through a well drilled into the aquifer. A well is a pipe in the ground that fills with groundwater. This water can be brought to the surface by a pump.
What is it called when you can obtain water without using a pump?
If a hole is dug into the ground deep enough that it reaches a confined aquifer, the pressure can be great enough to shoot water up the well without any help from a pump. Such a well is called a flowing artesian well . Topics: aquifer, environment, ground, groundwater, permeable, water, water table, well.
What is groundwater extraction?
The process, deliberate or inadvertent, of extracting ground water from a source at a rate so in excess of the replenishment that the ground water level declines persistently, threatening exhaustion of the supply or at least a decline of pumping levels to uneconomic depths.
Where does groundwater come from?
Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock . It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.
Does rain fill your well?
While your well is a 6” hole in the ground, it is not directly replenished by rainfall, as you might expect a cistern to function. ... With less rain, or changes in aquifer structure, the well becomes non-water bearing – i.e. dry. Your well may not ‘fill up’ when it rains , but it does reap the indirect benefits.
How fast does well water replenish?
The recovery rate of a water well is dependent on several factors. The well’s size, the type of geology the well is in, and the condition of the well all factor into the recovery rate of a water well. Recovery rates can vary from a fraction of a gallon per minute to more than ten gallons per minute .
Is Florida running out of drinking water?
Florida is running out of drinking water from the Floridan Aquifer , our main source of drinking water which has been relatively clean, cheap and plentiful — until now. The average Floridian uses about 158 gallons per day. ... Over-development has depleted the drinking water supply in most parts of Florida.
What is it called when an aquifer gets refilled replenished?
A recharge zone usually occurs at a high elevation where rain, snowmelt, lake or river water seeps into the ground to replenish the aquifer. A discharge zone can happen anywhere. ... Many people with wells are accessing an unconfined aquifer layer for drinking water. This can be an issue when there is a drought.
What problems are associated with pumping too much water from our aquifers in Florida?
Saltwater intrusion occurs when wells are drilled too deep or when too much freshwater is pumped from the aquifer, allowing salt water to replace freshwater. The water stored in the aquifer is replenished, or recharged, by rainfall. On average, Florida receives 51 inches of rain each year.
Why is groundwater extraction bad?
Continued pumping of groundwater without adequate recharge, leads to compression of the sediments causing the land to settle or subside . ... Land subsidence is not only a severe environmnetal issue but also has other negative effects such as changes in groundwater and surface flow patterns and decline in storage capacity.
What are the problems with using groundwater?
reduction of water in streams and lakes . deterioration of water quality . increased pumping costs . land subsidence .
Why is groundwater extracted?
Groundwater is an important source of water for towns, industries and irrigators . Those water users can rely on groundwater extraction to support their activities. Also, many landholders rely on groundwater for domestic and stock use. Groundwater is also important for the environment.
Is groundwater drinkable?
While groundwater is generally a safe source of drinking water , it is susceptible to contamination. Pollutants that contaminate groundwater may be some of the same pollutants that contaminate surface water (indeed, surface and groundwater are connected). ... Have private drinking water wells tested.
How deep does groundwater go?
Groundwater may be near the Earth’s surface or as deep as 30,000 feet , according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Is underground water everywhere?
Groundwater is everywhere beneath the soil surface and can be ever-present in many places if allowed to recharge. ... Groundwater has been an extremely important source of water for many years, especially in arid climates.
