Groundwater

Have you ever used a vintage water pump? Using these older pumps, you can still extract groundwater from beneath the surface of Earth. All you need to do is pump the well a few times and water will begin flowing out of the pump.

Groundwater makes up a very small percentage of all of the total water on Earth. Scientists estimate that only 0.750% of all water is found beneath the surface. Many households in the United States get their drinking water straight from the ground by using a well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 15% of households use well water. View the video clip Groundwater Beneath the Surface from eMediaVA℠ to learn more about the different parts of the groundwater system.