All communities on Earth rely on either surface or groundwater for their water needs. Surface waters include all freshwater from wetlands, rivers and lakes. Meanwhile, groundwater is available in underground aquifers under the earth’s crust.

Most of the groundwater comes from snowmelt and rainwater and is less contaminated than surface water.

You need to know what distinguishes these two types of water resources. This will help you understand which type of water resource you use the most and how to manage these water resources more effectively.

For a better understanding of how these water sources are used, we have mentioned the detailed differentiation between surface water and groundwater here.

Differentiation Between Surface Water And Groundwater

Anywhere on Earth, there is always water under one’s feet. This water is called groundwater and comes from saturated rocks or soil areas called aquifers. Surface water, on the other hand, tends to be more available because it occurs on the earth’s surface. It is in rivers, oceans, lakes, and ponds.

Surface water gets exposed to human activities and can absorb pollutants. Air pollution is one of the leading causes, among others, that brings harmful substances. This is why essential treatments, such as water purification techniques and more, are done to make it safe. 

On the other hand groundwater can also get contaminated as it is linked to surface waters. It happens when they seep into the groundwater via the pores of the soil. Many contaminants are filtered out while moving downward through rocks and soils. This means that groundwater usually contains fewer pollutants than surface water. Thus it requires less treatment before being used as drinking water.

Groundwater constitutes an important source of drinking water. However, extracting water from underground sources may not be straightforward. Most of the freshwater found in groundwater is located deep underground. That necessitates the use of sophisticated pumps to extract it for regular use.

Despite these challenges, groundwater is often chosen because it is more reliable. On the other hand, Ssurface water is less in demand as you cannot use it in emergencies. When surface water dries up during a drought, it can cause problems. Mainly for the industries that depend solely on surface water for their water supply. 

While groundwater is extensively used for drinking water, it also serves other purposes. Groundwater is utilized in aquaculture, mining, and raising livestock. Groundwater is also used for energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

However, it’s important to be aware of the drawbacks of groundwater. As the population grows, so does pollution. This increases the demand for groundwater as well as the chances of getting it polluted.

Additionally, it takes time for groundwater aquifers to be replaced; as a result, they’ve been used compared to surface water.

Surface Water And Groundwater Quality

Assessing water quality helps to know if it’s safe to use groundwater or surface water. This identifies the pollutants or impurities in both water sources.

Calculating water quality is crucial to remove water pollution and safeguard aquatic habitats. This ensures that the water meets drinking standards.

Various methods are used to measure the quality of water. It utilizes probes and sensors that measure different aspects. These are pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and temperature.

Surface water often contains chemical pollutants that accumulate from various pollution. In contrast, groundwater is generally cleaner because the sediment layers beneath the water table can naturally filter the water through seepage and soil movement. 

As a result, groundwater may require less treatment for drinking water purposes. This makes groundwater high in demand for multiple purposes.

How Does Groundwater Get Contaminated?

Despite having fewer pollutants than surface water, groundwater can still become polluted through various means. So, it is important to understand it before treating it. 

Groundwater pollution typically happens when pollutants seep into the water. These are released from or settle on the earth’s surface above the groundwater. 

The level of pollution in groundwater depends on the presence of pollution sources. This source can be a domestic or industrial waste. However, groundwater can contain pollutants even without nearby sources.

If you plan to use groundwater for drinking, it’s crucial to test it thoroughly. Even small amounts of chemicals can make a person sick. Arsenic is a common pollutant found in groundwater, and the only way to know if it’s present is through testing.

Other pollutants include manganese, iron, organic matter, and salts. These are all present at high levels in various groundwater sources.

Groundwater pollution can originate from two types of sources: point and non-point sources. Point sources are identifiable and localized pollution sources. This includes spills, septic systems, landfills, industrial activities, and gasoline storage tanks. 

Non-point sources have more chances to enter groundwater. This can be done with the use of chemicals and road salts. Agricultural activities can also contribute to non-point pollution through pesticides. This can be taken as the best example when you talk about water contamination.

They can contaminate groundwater through the downward movement of chemicals into the soil. Some landfills have protective layers that prevent this. In comparison, others lack such protection or have older, ineffective layers.

Minerals Of Water

Groundwater often becomes polluted when it absorbs substances from its surroundings. Water dissolves more substances easily than other liquids. 

When the water contains many minerals, it’s known as hard water, which. Which is rich in ions like magnesium and calcium. On the other hand, soft water has little or no minerals.

To determine the hardness of water, the levels of magnesium and calcium are measured and converted to calcium carbonate. This is shown in milligrams per litre. 

Water is categorized into four groups based on the number of minerals it contains. These groups are:

• Soft water: 0–60 mg/L
• Moderately hard water: 61–120 mg/L
• Hard water: 121–180 mg/L
• Extremely hard water: above 180 mg/L

It’s also possible to measure water hardness in grains per gallon. That’s a common unit in the water treatment field. In this system, water hardness is divided into five groups:

• Soft water: 0.0–1.0 g/g
• Slightly hard water: 1.1–3.5 g/g
• Moderately hard water: 3.6–7.0 g/g
• Hard water: 7.1–10.5 g/g
• Extremely hard water: above 10.5 g/g

Measuring water hardness is crucial for various industries as it indicates the water’s cleanliness. Hard water can be particularly harmful to systems and parts in industrial environments.

The same applies to the water used in homes with high mineral content. Without treatment, hard water can lead to limescale buildup in pipes, showerheads, and faucets. These can reduce water flow and make appliances less effective.

Although both groundwater and surface water have many uses. Groundwater is widely available across most regions, making it more accessible. 

Despite the lower levels of contaminants in groundwater, it’s essential to test and treat it before use. By doing so, contaminants can be removed, and the water can be purified.

Conclusion

Maintaining the quality of both underground and surface water is important as they are utilized for various purposes. However, water on the surface is simpler to reach than water from underground. 

To protect and manage these resources, we must implement pollution prevention strategies, regularly monitor them, and use them sustainably. By doing this, we can ensure sustainability and save water resources for future generations.