Aquifers

Definition

Aquifers are underground layers of permeable rock or sediment that hold and transmit water. They act as natural storage tanks, providing a source of freshwater for wells and springs.

Related terms

Groundwater: Water that is stored in and moves through aquifers underground.

Recharge: The process by which water replenishes an aquifer, usually through precipitation seeping into the ground.

Overpumping: Extracting more water from an aquifer than can be naturally replenished, leading to depletion and potential long-term damage.