From irrigating farmers’ crops to supplying families with clean drinking water, groundwater is used in various parts of the country for commercial and residential applications. Because many people use the resource in some capacity, the professionals at GeoTek Alaska, based in Anchorage, AK, believe it’s important to have a basic knowledge of where the liquid comes from and how it gets delivered to consumers. These experts provide groundwater sampling services throughout the state; below, they answer a few common queries on the topic. 

4 Questions People Often Have About Groundwater

What Is Groundwater?

As the name suggests, groundwater is sourced from deep below the earth’s surface. It forms when water seeps through the ground, moving through aquifers in rock cracks and sand and soil pores, before settling in a saturated area. Aquifers can also retain the liquid as well as transfer it deeper underground.

Who Uses Groundwater?

In rural areas and locations not serviced by local municipalities, people often install private wells to ensure their families have clean drinking water. The liquid is sourced from groundwater, which means 51% of the total U.S. population and 99% of the rural population use it.  Groundwater accounts for 64% of the water used to irrigate crops, which makes it a valuable resource for the economy. 

Can Groundwater Get Contaminated?

Although moving through rock, sand, and soil helps filter groundwater, environmental factors and human activity can lead to possible contamination. Naturally occurring substances found in the earth, including iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide, could be present in the water. People often install residential water treatment equipment to filter out these substances. Petroleum and additional chemicals from machinery can seep into the ground and contaminate the liquid, as can sewage from damaged septic equipment. Groundwater sampling specialists can perform tests to detect harmful substances found in the supply.  

How Is Groundwater Delivered to Consumers?

Trained technicians use state-of-the-art groundwater exploration equipment to find the exact location of aquifers on your property. A pumping system is installed to extract the liquid up into a well, and the water is then pumped to the earth’s surface to be drawn into a container or attached to water pipes to be delivered to a structure directly. 

If you want to source groundwater for your property or business, let the trained technicians at GeoTek Alaska handle the auger drilling for your well installation. They will also provide well monitoring and groundwater sampling to ensure the liquid remains free of contaminants. To learn more about sampling services available in Alaska, call (907) 569-5900 or visit the company online for details.