Water is one of Earth's most precious resources, and beneath our feet lies a vast network of aquifers storing groundwater that sustains life across our planet. From ancient civilizations that dug wells to access these underground reservoirs to modern cities that rely on groundwater for drinking water supplies, understanding groundwater systems is important. Ground and surface waters are closely related and interact. Groundwater resources are relied upon for drinking water supply as more than half the population of the United States and Canada obtains its drinking water from groundwater.
This course introduces groundwater hydrology—the study of groundwater— its source as precipitation, how it moves, how it is stored, and its interactions. It briefly discusses the physical properties that govern groundwater flow, how aquifers function as natural water storage systems, and the interactions between surface water and groundwater. These brief topics cover how groundwater quality is assessed and protected, the basics of field investigation methods, and sustainable management practices.
Because of the close interaction between surface water and surface events, purveyors should understand and monitor surface events such as precipitation, development, spills, watersheds, and droughts to protect and evaluate their impacts on drinking water sources.
Topics covered in this course include fundamentals of groundwater hydrology, aquifer properties, flow dynamics, water balance principles, flow nets and pump tests, monitoring and groundwater quality, and sampling and analysis methods. It also touches on sustainable groundwater management strategies for both natural processes and human impacts. Individuals are better equipped to make informed decisions about groundwater resource protection and sustainable use by understanding these core concepts.