How important is ground water?
Ground water, which is in aquifers below the surface of the Earth, is among the Nation’s most important natural resources. Ground water is the source of about 40 % of the water used for public supply. It provides drinking water for more than 97 % of the rural population who do not have access to public water-supply systems. Even some major cities, such as San Antonio, Texas, rely solely on ground water for all their needs. Between 30 and 40 % of the water used for agriculture comes from ground water. Withdrawals of ground water are expected to rise in the coming century as the population increases and available sites for surface reservoirs become more limited.
Ground water, which is found in aquifers below the surface of the Earth, is one of the Nation’s most important natural resources. Ground water is the source of about 38 percent of the water that county and city water departments supply to households and businesses (public supply). It provides drinking water for more than 97 percent of the rural population who do not get their water delivered to them from a county/city water department or private water company.
