Aquifers and Groundwater

What is Groundwater?

Learn more about this important source of freshwater!

Groundwater is water that seeps underground between rocks and dirt.

• Groundwater is stored in aquifers.

• Aquifers are underground areas that can hold water.

Aquifers are underground layers of rock that hold water.

• Aquifers can be close to the Earth's surface or deep underground.

Poll

Groundwater is freshwater. Why is freshwater important?

• We need it to drink!

• We need it to grow plants to eat!

• We need it to drink AND to grow plants!!

We need freshwater to drink AND to grow plants!!

• Most of the water on Earth is saltwater.

• Most of the freshwater on Earth is frozen so we cannot use it.

• Groundwater is an important source of freshwater!

Multiple Choice

How can we get to the groundwater so we can use it to drink and grow plants?

• We can't! The water is too deep.

• We can dig or drill a pipe into the aquifer.

We can get to groundwater by digging or drilling.

• A well is a pipe in the ground that fills with groundwater.

• This water can be brought to the surface by a pump.

Groundwater is a limited resource. We can use it quicker than it is restored by rain and snow.

• We can use up groundwater.

• To get to more, we have to dig deeper.

• Aquifers can dry up, so there is no more groundwater.

Poll

Should we be careful not to use up all of the groundwater?

• Yes! We need it to drink and grow plants!

• No! We can just drink saltwater.

When groundwater is overused:

• wells dry up

• groundwater is harder to get to

• lakes, streams, and rivers connected to groundwater can dry up water.

Ms. Amy's Groundwater Model showed us what happens to groundwater and surface water when we pump out too much!

Multiple Choice

What happened when Ms. Amy pumped out too much water?

• The groundwater level (water table) got lower.

• The lake got dryer.

• Both!

We can help protect groundwater!

• 1. Use fewer chemicals around your house. Never dump chemicals on the ground or down the drain!

• 2. Turn off your water! Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and don’t let your water run for a long time. Take short showers.

• 3. Fix any leaks or drips!

• 4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Less waste means less landfills and less groundwater pollution.

• Keep learning about groundwater and teach other what you have learned!

Open Ended

What is 1 thing you learned about groundwater?

Poll

Choose 1 way you will protect groundwater:

• Turn off the water while I brush my teeth.

• Tell an adult about a drip or leak!

• Recycle more!

• Share what I learned today with my family and friends!