Science Common Sense

673 - What is groundwater, and how does it get replenished?

Groundwater is water that seeps into the ground and fills up the empty spaces in rocks, soil, and sand beneath the Earth's surface. It's a hidden source of freshwater that many people use for drinking, watering plants, and other things.

Groundwater gets replenished when:

1. Rain falls on the ground and some of it seeps into the soil.
2. Snow melts and flows into the ground.
3. Lakes and rivers leak water into the ground.
4. Wetlands and swamps absorb water that eventually seeps underground.

This process is called recharge, and it's like filling up a giant, hidden reservoir underground. Over time, the groundwater moves downward to become part of the underground water supply.