We need groundwater in Manipur

Dr L Kanta / Dr S Roma / Dr Ch Basudha / Dr Arati N / Dr W Elizabeth *

When people think of freshwater, they frequently envision pristine lakes and running streams, but in reality, groundwater makes up the majority of all freshwater in the planet (that is not frozen and trapped in ice caps and glaciers).

Water that is found underground in voids and fissures in rock, sand, and soil is known as groundwater. It is stored in aquifers, which are layers of porous rock and/or sediment that can hold water, and it can be drained into lakes or streams, blasted up naturally by springs, or both.

Even though it is underground, groundwater contributes to replenishing and maintaining levels of surface water—the water bodies that we are accustomed to seeing such as rivers, lakes, and streams—when it does bubble up or flow into streams. Groundwater is a critical source of water on Earth, providing up to 50% of the world’s drinking water supply and 40% for crop irrigation.

It is estimated that 2.5 billion people worldwide rely on ground water sources for basic survival needs, particularly those living in rural areas without access to a county/city water provider. With the world’s population predicted to grow by 3 billion by 2100, protecting groundwater and surface water sources is vital.

However, as the population grows, so does pollution, and with climate change, sustainable groundwater management is the only way to protect the country’s most important natural resource.

Groundwater is stored under the Earth’s surface in aquifers. As a primary supply of water, these can be accessible via a well. An aquifer is a geological structure composed of permeable sedimentary strata capable of storing or yielding huge volumes of water. Once drained from under the surface, groundwater can be naturally refilled by rains and snowfall, or when water moves beneath the bottom sediments of rivers, lakes, and ponds.

When crops are irrigated, groundwater is also recharged; however, if harmful pesticides and/or fertilisers are used, these contaminants can enter groundwater sources. Although water quality in drinking water supplies is an issue, as water travels down to the groundwater source, minerals in the sediments can filter some contaminants and pollutants, improving water quality.

This is why, although being more difficult to acquire, groundwater is more often used than surface water. Global climate change is another concern affecting groundwater. Because of climate change, certain locations are experiencing much drier times than previously. While groundwater is found almost everywhere and is typically recharged by heavy rainfall, exploitation and prolonged periods of dry weather can cause the water table to fall.

The groundwater does not stop once it reaches an aquifer. Water will continue to flow, although at a slower rate than it did on its way down to the aquifer. The flow rate of groundwater is determined by the aquifer’s properties.

Unless there are human interventions, such as well pumping, which causes the water flow to be sucked back up, gravity normally governs the direction of the water flow. The groundwater continues to travel until it is taken out by a well or motor pump, or until it empties into another aquifer along the road or into a body of water (lake, river, etc.). To hold groundwater, an aquifer must have pores or cracks that generate empty spaces for the water.

As previously stated, groundwater accounts for a significant portion of the world’s water supply. Groundwater is protected from external contamination because it is stored beneath the Earth’s surface, hence the water quality is far superior to acquiring drinking water sources from surface waterways. But it is not just the efficient use of drinking water that makes it so vital. Groundwater is required by many different businesses and applications.

Groundwater is an ideal natural resource that serves an important function in the world economy. Groundwater is used for irrigation and the food sector in addition to drinking water sources.

Irrigation is the agricultural practise of applying a precise amount of water to crops and landscapes such as lawns. This is also known as ‘watering’. Irrigation accounts for more than 70% of water withdrawal from groundwater and surface water sources, with groundwater accounting for 43%. When the land becomes dry and there is a greater demand for water, groundwater is used; however, when enough rainfall meets agricultural needs, less groundwater is extracted.

As a result, it is employed in a ‘flexible manner’. Groundwater is also important in maintaining water levels in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, particularly during dry months when these water basins get little rainfall and significant rates of evaporation. When water levels in these environments fall, groundwater can easily be discharged into the various bodies of water.

As a result, groundwater flow offers a sustainable water source for the fauna and plants that reside in these aquatic settings. The most important message about groundwater is to strike a balance between extracting what is required on Earth and allowing the groundwater aquifer level to restore. Overexploitation would occur if too much water was removed from groundwater sources.

A submersible pressure transmitter suspended in the well via a cable is the simplest and most accurate approach to assess groundwater levels. Peristaltic pumps may be ideal for testing groundwater samples in shallow wells to avoid cross-contamination during the sampling procedure.

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in the world, making it a valuable water supply. However, it is also important in agriculture and the industry. Securing an adequate supply of clean water despite the damaging effects of climate change, in short groundwater is the important sources of water for urgent challenges in Manipur for managing water crisis in Manipur.