A groundwater study is simply any investigation into the issues surrounding groundwater quality and availability. The study could be done on a large scale, encompassing vast aquifers across multiple states, or it could be done on a microscale, such as by a company looking for a location. Groundwater contamination, use, and sustainability are frequently addressed in groundwater studies.
A groundwater study may be commissioned or funded for a variety of reasons. The main reason for businesses is to find a suitable location for a new location or expansion. Not only from an environmental standpoint, but also from a business standpoint, groundwater could be critical. Many industrial plants rely on high-quality groundwater to help them run their operations. As a result, water with high levels of sediment, pollutants, or harsh chemicals may affect the quality of the final product.
Larger studies, in addition to smaller scale studies, are frequently conducted. The US Geologic Survey conducts many groundwater studies in the United States. In some cases, the investigation is carried out after a contaminant enters the water supply as a result of a spill or other incident. This type of groundwater research can reveal how quickly various types of groundwater pollution spread and how long they stay in the system.
However, pollution is only one of many issues to be concerned about. A groundwater study can also be used to encourage the conservation of groundwater. If a study reveals that an aquifer is being depleted at a faster rate than it can be replenished, for example, restrictions may be imposed. Such groundwater resource conservation would be impossible without first identifying the problem through a groundwater study.
Furthermore, a groundwater study can be used to predict and possibly even correct other groundwater withdrawal issues. Groundwater depletion can even cause land subsidence, which lowers the elevation of the surface land. This can be extremely damaging to buildings on the surface, and repairing it can cost millions of dollars. In addition, if freshwater supplies are depleted, seawater intrusion becomes a threat.
Because of the large number of people who rely on groundwater for their water, groundwater studies are considered important. For example, the United States Geologic Survey estimates that up to 40% of the population in the United States gets their water from groundwater. The remaining population relies on surface water supplies such as those found naturally in rivers and lakes, as well as reservoirs built specifically for water storage. The percentage of people who get their water from the ground rises to 97 percent in rural areas.