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Groundwater – the underground reservoir
Beneath the surface of the earth is a huge reservoir of fresh water. Groundwater does not rest; it moves continuously, but at a snail's pace, from its point of entry to areas of natural discharge. Groundwater moves so slowly that its speed is measured in metres per day, and even per year. (Surface water velocities are described in metres per second.) Wells intercept some groundwater but most of it continues until it reappears naturally in a spring or a seepage area and joins a watercourse.
Groundwater contributes to Canada's water supply by:
- Feeding streams, producing the entire flow of some streams during dry periods
- Replenishing wells – a valuable source of supply for individuals, communities, industries, and irrigated farms
- Supporting important ecological systems such as wetlands
- Moderating the adverse impacts of acid rain on surface water systems
Additional information on groundwater can be found in: Freshwater Series No. A-5, "Groundwater – Nature's Hidden Treasure."
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