aquifer

The underground soil or rock through which groundwater can move is called an aquifer, which is composed of gravel, sandstone, sand, or limestone. Aquifers contain pores—large, interconnected spaces—through which water can flow. Without interconnected pores in the rock, groundwater cannot permeate an aquifer.

groundwater Water that is held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

Lesson Summary. Groundwater is freshwater below Earth’s surface. It seeps down from the surface through pores in soil and rock. It keeps seeping downward until it reaches a layer of impermeable rock. An aquifer is an underground layer of rock that is saturated with groundwater.

Infiltration happens when water soaks into the soil from the ground level. It moves underground and moves between the soil and rocks. Some of the water keeps moving down into the soil to a level that is filled with water, called ground water.

Groundwater contamination occurs when man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use. Road salt, toxic substances from mining sites, and used motor oil also may seep into groundwater.

The significant sources of contamination in groundwater are farming chemicals, septic waste, landfills, uncontrolled hazardous waste, storage tanks, and atmospheric pollutants.

• Agricultural Chemicals.
• Septic Waste.
• Landfills.
• Hazardous Waste Sites.
• Storage Tanks.
• Atmospheric Pollutants.
• Underground Pipes.
• Road Salts.

Groundwater sources are beneath the land surface and include springs and wells. As can be seen from the hydrologic cycle, when rain falls to the ground, some water flows along the land to streams or lakes, some water evaporates into the atmosphere, some is taken up by plants, and some seeps into the ground.

Most groundwater originates as meteoric water from precipitation in the form of rain or snow. If it is not lost by evaporation, transpiration or to stream runoff, water from these sources may infiltrate into the ground.

7 Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

• Persistent Bad Breath. Water is essential for saliva production and helps rinse away bacteria so you can maintain healthy teeth and gums.
• Fatigue.
• Frequent Illness.
• Constipation.
• Poor Skin Health.
• Sugar Cravings.
• Decreased Urination.

Here are some of the most effective water purification methods that have stood the test of time:

1. Boiling. The simplest method to purify water is to boil it for a good amount of time.
2. Water Purifier.
3. Reverse Osmosis.
4. Water Chlorination.
5. Distillation.
6. Iodine Addition.
7. Solar Purification.
8. Clay Vessel Filtration.

Three Ways To Purify Water

• Boiling: Bring the water to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes. Let cool before drinking.
• Disinfect: You can use household liquid bleach (regular household bleach contains 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) to kill microorganisms.
• Distillation: Fill a pot halfway with water.

These include: (1) Collection ; (2) Screening and Straining ; (3) Chemical Addition ; (4) Coagulation and Flocculation ; (5) Sedimentation and Clarification ; (6) Filtration ; (7) Disinfection ; (8) Storage ; (9) and finally Distribution.

Top 7 Methods of Water Treatment

• Coagulation / Flocculation. Coagulation is adding liquid aluminum sulfate or alum and/or polymer to raw or untreated water.
• Sedimentation. When water and flocs undergo the treatment process, they go into sedimentation basins.
• Filtration.
• Disinfection.
• Sludge Drying.
• Fluoridation.
• pH Correction.

Types of Water Treatment Plants

• Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
• Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
• Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP’s)
• Demineralization (DM) Treatment Plants.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined three types of public water systems:

• Community Water System (CWS). A public water system that supplies water to the same population year-round.
• Non-Transient Non-Community Water System (NTNCWS).
• Transient Non-Community Water System (TNCWS).

Qualities of Good drinking water

• It is odorless (does not have any smell)
• Does not contain any visible solid particles.
• It is not contaminated, no unhealthy toxins or chemicals.
• The water is rich in minerals.
• The water is tasteless.

Quality drinking water should have a balanced pH level, be contaminant-free, rich with healthy, naturally occurring minerals.