Groundwater reservoirs can be managed by government agencies to ensure clean and safe water supplies. Boundaries can be difficult to determine, especially when aquifers are at different depths. Contamination and overuse are major concerns, and hydrologists study groundwater to determine safe usage levels.
A groundwater reservoir is an underground reservoir of water that can take the form of a single aquifer or a group of connected aquifers. Because groundwater reserves are important, many governments allow government agencies to assume management of groundwater reservoirs, when they are identified, in the interest of keeping groundwater supplies clean and safe. A map of known groundwater bodies in a particular region can usually be obtained from a government agency that deals with geology, hydrology, or general water supply safety.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine where the boundaries of a groundwater body are. In some cases, there are clear geological boundaries such as rock stratum deposits which make it clear where the deposit of water begins and ends and can be used to find out whether or not groundwater is contiguous. In other cases, the distinction may be less subtle, making it difficult to identify which areas are actually within the groundwater reservoir.
Another problem that can complicate the classification of a groundwater reservoir is the existence of aquifers at various depths. In these cases, sub-basins may be designated to indicate where different groundwater supplies are located. This can be critical when making groundwater allocation decisions, as one area of a groundwater reservoir may be able to support heavier use than another due to the existence of deep aquifers that extend below the groundwater level in the rest of the basin.
One of the major concerns of a groundwater reservoir is the risk of groundwater contamination. Contaminants poured into the basin can seep into the aquifer, spreading until they contaminate all the water. Ideally, this adds some filtration to the steps needed to process the water. At worst, it renders water unusable and means people have to seek out alternative water resources. It can also cause long-term damage as the pollutants work in surface streams and other aquifers in the area.
Another concern is overuse. Although groundwater recharges, it takes time, and if people withdraw water faster than the aquifer can recharge, a water shortage can develop. When water drops below critical levels, it can sink below current well depths, making it inaccessible. Therefore, hydrologists study groundwater reservoirs to find out how much water is available and to determine how much can be used safely.
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