12/02/2021
Ground Water
I'm in the process of building a house and learning LOTS about water, run-off and groundwater. 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. Keeping this water clean and flowing is critically important....why? Groundwater supplies drinking water for 51% of the total U.S. population and 99% of the rural population. Groundwater helps grow our food. 64% of groundwater is used for irrigation to grow crops and is an important component in many industrial processes. Groundwater is a source of recharge for lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Rising seal levels is of concern as it relates to groundwater: Saltwater intrusion is the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead to groundwater quality degradation, including drinking water sources, and other consequences. Saltwater intrusion can naturally occur in coastal aquifers, owing to the hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater. Because saline water has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it is denser and has a higher water pressure. As a result, saltwater can push inland beneath the freshwater.
Certain human activities, especially groundwater pumping from coastal freshwater wells, have increased saltwater intrusion in many coastal areas. Water extraction drops the level of fresh groundwater, reducing its water pressure and allowing saltwater to flow further inland. Other contributors to saltwater intrusion include navigation channels or agricultural and drainage channels, which provide conduits for saltwater to move inland. Sea level rise caused by climate change also contributes to saltwater intrusion. Saltwater intrusion can also be worsened by extreme events like hurricane storm surges.
What can we do to keep groundwater healthy? Dumping any toxic elements 'down the drain' should be avoided. Often we don't even realize that these things find their way into our water supply. Fertilizers, pesticides and all chemicals make our groundwater unhealthy. Maintaining septic systems is a top priority. Testing wells regularly and checking oil tanks for leaks is important too. Managing run-off, especially in areas with more extreme rain storms, is becoming a major focus of building departments around the world to slow the rush of water that prevent the slower absorption of water into the ground.
Leonard Steinburg
