The significance of groundwater.

Human beings cannot survive without freshwater. Besides rain, and glacial charged surface water sources such as lakes and rivers, groundwater provides another vital source of freshwater. Yet, groundwater reservoirs are being depleted and polluted at an alarming rate - an issue that merits much closer attention.

A recent UN report 'Groundwater: Making the invisible visible' highlights issues of relevance to this vital natural resource. For eg, it points out how nearly 30% of all freshwater on Earth is stored underground. Groundwater provides nearly half the water used for domestic purposes, and it is an especially important resource for rural populations not connected to public or private water-supply systems.

Groundwater is not just important for humans. Water holes in dry areas are usually fed by groundwater, which helps maintain complex ecosystems. Wetlands, and other water bodies, are...