Individual responsibility in conservation of groundwater resources

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CONSERVATION OF GROUNDWATER

RESOURCES

Key Idea:• Groundwater is an important resource whose availability is threatened by overuse and pollution

• solution for this crisis

WATER BUDGET

• The water budget is the balance between the water that reaches the ground as precipitations, and the water that leaves the ground as evaporation, runoff, and consumption.

POSITIVE WATER BALANCE

• If the amount of precipitation of a region is greater than the evaporation and consumption added together, then that region has a positive water balance, or surplus.

NEGATIVE WATER BALANCE

• If, the amount of precipitation is less than the usage and evaporation, then the region has a negative water balance, or deficit.

Factors Controlling the Water Budget of a

Region• Climate conditions• The characteristics of soil• The type of vegetation• The type of underlying

rocks• HUMAN ACTIVITIES

HUMAN ACTIVITIES threatens the

aquifers in two ways:

overuse pollution

OVERUSE OF GROUNDWATER

RESOURCES• Wells can dry, and human

communities have no water!• In coastal areas, by pumping

put the fresh water, salty water will take its place.

• By removing the water, the rocks become more compact, and the surface of the ground sinks . This phenomenon is called subsidence.

Coastal Wells Salinization

WHAT CAN WE DO?

• The used household water is pumped back into the ground through wells.

• Water is also pumped into ponds and allowed to seep back into the ground.

GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

• Groundwater is recharged by rain seeping down through the soil.

• Virtually, any harmful chemical that is disposed at the surface of the ground will reach the groundwater.

• Some common pollutants are:

-fertilizers and pesticides -toxic wastes berried in the

ground (common practice in the past)

-accidental spills -farm wastes -sewage from septic tanks,

etc

Groundwater Use and Pollution

Sources of Groundwater

Pollution

Sources of Water Pollution

One Billion people Lack Clean

Drinking Water

WHAT CAN WE DO?

There is no simple or inexpensive way to purify polluted groundwater. Further pollution can be controlled, or reduced by:

• Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers

• Using environmental friendly chemicals in agriculture

• Proper disposal of toxic wastes.

• Use of native plants in our landscape

RECHARGE GROUNDWATER

RESOURCES• Rainwater harvesting dug

outs• Use native plants in

landscapes.

RAINWATER HARVESTING

• Rainwater harvesting under Kerala Municipality Building Rules, 1999. CHAPTER XVI A

109A “Unless otherwise stipulated specifically in a town Planning Scheme, workable rooftop rainwater harvesting arrangements shall be provided as an integral part of all new building constructions.”

RAINWATER HARVESTING

DUG OUTS

PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY,

Ancy Varghese, 2nd Year, B.A.,L.L.B Student,

NUALS