Limited Freshwater Availability and the Groundwater Table — Passage and Quiz

Freshwater is essential for life, but it makes up only 2.5% of the Earth’s water. Most freshwater is locked in glaciers and ice caps, leaving less than 1% accessible for human use. This limited availability is further strained by population growth, pollution, and climate change.

The groundwater table is the upper level of underground water stored in aquifers, which are porous rock layers. Groundwater is a critical source of freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and industry. However, over-pumping can lower the groundwater table, leading to depletion and land subsidence (sinking of the ground..

In many regions, groundwater is being used faster than it can be replenished by rainfall. For example, the Ogallala Aquifer in the United States, which supports much of the country’s agriculture, is being depleted at an alarming rate.

To address freshwater scarcity, solutions like water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and desalination (removing salt from seawater) are being implemented. Protecting and recharging aquifers is also crucial for sustainable water management.

Fun fact: If all the Earth’s freshwater were represented by a gallon of water, the amount available for human use would be just one teaspoon!