Conservation of groundwaterby- Shreet Mishra k.v. gomtinagar (2nd

shift)

Conserving GroundwaterIts human nature,

Human understand the importance of something when it is far away from him,

And one day that something will beUnderground Water.

PRESENTATION CONTAINS-

1. Ground water – introduction2. Distribution of earth’s water3. Water budget4. Water cycle5. About some of the causes of

groundwater depletion and sources of pollution.

6. How to preserve and protect the groundwater – some common tips

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.

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%

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.

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.

THE WATER CYCLE

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.

THREAT TO GROUNDWATER Human use threatens the aquifers in

two ways: 1. overuse-

2. pollution-

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.

COASTAL WELLS SALINIZATION

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.

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

SOURCES OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

GROUNDWATER USE AND POLLUTION

MORE THAN ONE BILLION PEOPLE LACK CLEAN DRINKING WATER

HOUSEHOLD TOXIC CHEMICALSWHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH THEM?

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.

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

CONSERVATION OF GROUNDWATER

SOME COMMON TIPS

11. Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers12. 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.

The End