Finding places to look for clean drinking water requires nothing more than some knowledge of hydrogeology and some simple observations and research. Groundwater sources often provide safe water. Finding them is something you can learn.
Many places in the world suffer from a lack of clean drinking water. A number of governmental, non-governmental and private organizations are engaged in the search and development of clean water sources.
In an effort to find and provide clean drinking water for people in the world, these organizations are often viewed as groundwater sources (groundwater).
So, if you need a reservoir and a reliable source of water, where are you most likely to find groundwater? What are the most likely places to look for clean drinking water?
The search for groundwater does not require any special experience or education. The search for sources of groundwater is a science and art.
One thing you need is a basic knowledge of hydrogeology, which is actually hard to get. In addition, the search for groundwater requires certain basic skills of observation and investigation.
Groundwater is subject to gravity. It tends to flow downhill like water on a surface. Groundwater usually occurs as surface water. Rain is collected in depressions, lakes, rivers and streams, and then it seeps into the ground at a place called the “recharge zone”. This is called so because it is the point at which the groundwater source is replenished or “recharged.”
One of the basic principles of groundwater dynamics is that it always flows from the recharge zone to the discharge point. The discharge point is the place where the groundwater returns to the surface.
The discharge point is usually at a lower level than the reload zone. Since groundwater is affected by gravity, it is safe to say that it flows downhill or from a higher elevation to a lower level.
Discharge points can occur in many places, for example, in springs, rivers or streams, or along the shore of a lake or even benefit the ocean.
Therefore, one place to find clean water benefits the surface of the earth along the banks of streams, rivers and lakes. In fact, this is often where wells are drilled or subsurface water collection systems are located.
Another basic principle of groundwater movement is that the groundwater reservoir basically follows the contours found on the surface of the earth.
If you are looking for clear water, try visualizing the benefits of groundwater for your feet. The hills and hollows that you see around you are clues as to where water can be found underground.
Intuitively, we understand that since water flows downhill, we are more likely to find water in a low depression than on top of a hill. Thus, we will be able to find water if we drill a well at the lower point of the landscape than at a higher point.
Therefore, the best places to find clean drinking water are heights such as valleys, pools and ravines.
Asking questions and making observations will be a long way to search for water in areas that may first seem dry and barren.
Try to figure out where people in this area now get water? Ask residents and show them the location of their water source.
If you look at the surrounding wells, you will see the depth of the groundwater in the area. You can also observe in what form of sediment these wells are drilled or dug.
If wells are drilled nearby, the village or government responsible agency may have information about the well. They may know their depth and the types of sediments or rocks that they discovered when the well was drilled.
If you are looking at a valley floor or depression, keep in mind that groundwater is most likely in a layer of gravel or sand. These aquifers are referred to as “aquifers” and may be covered with vegetation and layers of silt or clay.
Groundwater can also be found near sources in the area. You can learn a lot about aquifers by learning that spring flows all year round or if it is seasonal. Spring, which flows throughout the year, most likely comes from a good productive aquifer. If spring periodically dries out, then you can assume that the aquifer from which it comes, dries out.
Flow characteristics can also be key to the location of groundwater. If the stream is more in one area, this may indicate that groundwater is discharged into the stream. This can be a good area for drilling water. Sometimes the land directly benefits from a dry stream that may contain groundwater.
Watch out for plants and animals in the area. If there is a place where the growing season leaves green during the dry season, it can draw shallow water from the ground. Animals find water well, so they observe where they drink, or where they dig water.
Evaporation of groundwater can often leave behind the surface of the crust of white salts on the surface of the earth. If you are observing the surface area of salt, this may indicate that water remains underground.
Outcrops, sloping rock layers, and sandstone or limestone layers can also be key to places where clean drinking water can be found. The groundwater will flow along an inclined rock layer along the direction of the slope. Limestone and sandstone may have cracks that will give water.
Keep your eyes open and cover wide areas in your observations. Although it is best to be well placed where people live, it is more important to have a productive water source if it is not too far away.
There are other ways to find clean drinking water. Such methods as electrical resistivity and seismic refraction are high-tech and expensive methods for finding groundwater.
But with a little knowledge, observation, inquiry and common sense, you can find places to look for clean drinking water.
