Groundwater Today

Read, watch, or listen to three reliable media sources about a current event related to groundwater. Some ideas for media type to review include a magazine, newspaper, online article, newscast, or podcast.

Then summarize your findings in your own words. Explain which part or parts of the groundwater cycle are affected by this event, and explain why the story is relevant to at least three different aspects of your life. Provide a list citing each source.

I understand that water is always on the move. From the time the earth was formed, it has been endlessly circulating through the hydrologic cycle. Groundwater is an important part of this continuous cycle as water evaporates, forms clouds, and returns to earth as precipitation. The concept of how at a certain depth the ground, if it is permeable enough to allow water to move through it, is saturated with water.

Over 50% of the United States population depends on groundwater for drinking water. Groundwater is also one of our most important sources of water for irrigation. Unfortunately, groundwater is susceptible to pollutants. Drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects. Materials from the land's surface can move through the soil and end up in the groundwater. For example, pesticides and fertilizers can find their way into groundwater supplies over time. Road salt, toxic substances from mining sites, and used motor oil also may seep into groundwater. In addition, it is possible for untreated waste from septic tanks and toxic chemicals from underground storage tanks and leaky landfills to contaminate groundwater. Diseases such as hepatitis and dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins that have leached into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed.

We don't know how much water there is, how fast we're depleting aquifers, or how long we can use this resource before devastating effects take place, like drying up of wells or rivers. I say this because new research has found that the world's sources for groundwater could be depleted before the year 2050. Groundwater is the largest freshwater resource around the world, but as demand is increasing, availability is decreasing.

you should read it and edit some words to make it more "you".