Ground water is found in natural rock formations, which are called aquifers. For the most part, ground water comes directly from precipitation or surface water that infiltrates below the land surface. Then, this ground water flows into many streams and lakes. In addition, ground water can be exiting from the subsurface as springs. But most commonly, we obtain ground water from wells. Most ground water is constantly moving, but it normally moves very slowly as it winds its way through tiny pathways around grains of sediment or through small openings in rock. Some rock materials have large enough fractures or openings that ground water can move faster; however, often, the openings do not continue very far.

Ground water is an integral part of the hydrologic cycle, which starts with precipitation, such as rain and goes directly into lakes and streams. Some of the water, which seeps into the ground is used by plants for tran

Ground water is an important component of our nation's fresh water resources. The use of ground water is of fundamental importance to human life and is also significant to economic vitality. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued in October 1998 for the 1995 water year, states that 95 % of all fresh water on earth is ground water, and it is used in the United States for agricultural, domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes. In the United States, ground water provides water for drinking and bathing, irrigation of croplands, livestock watering, mining, industrial and commercial uses, and thermoelectric cooling. Irrigation, which is 63 % and public water supply with 20% are the largest uses of ground water. Followed by industry 5%, livestock watering and mining with 3 %, domestic supply with 4%, commercial and thermoelectric with 1%. However, ground water use for drinking water, agriculture, industry/commerce, mining, and thermoelectric supply varies in dif!

"Water No Longer Taken For Granted". The Information Series on Current Topics. 1999 Edition: 47-62.

The problems associated with ground water pollution have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to great extent. Congress has passed laws to try to combat water pollution, but the government alone cannot solve the entire problem. There are many ways for getting involved in protecting groundwater resources from being contaminated. One is by educating others and us about shallow disposal's threat to groundwater. Second is to find out what's going down the drain in our community and where it's happening. Third is to work cooperatively to identify better waste management options from pollution prevention and recycling to reutilization of wastewaters. Forth is to adopt policies programs and laws to protect water resources making groundwater protection an important part of how our locality or state does business. It is ultimately up to us to be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the problems we face with our water. As we head into the 21st century, a!

spiration or evaporates from the soil surface. The remaining water, called recharge water, drains down through the soil to the saturated zone, where water fills all the spaces between soil particles and rocks. The top of the saturated zone is the water table, which us usually the level where water stands in a well, if the local geology is not complicated. Water continues to move within the saturated zone from areas where the water table is higher toward areas where the water table is lower. When ground water comes to a lake, stream, or ocean, it discharges from the ground and becomes surface water. This water then evaporates into the atmosphere, condenses and becomes precipitation, thus completing the hydrologic cycle.

"Water Pollution". Encarta Online. Microsoft Vers. 2

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1923
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)