Learn about Groundwater

Groundwater is the water that fills the spaces between soil, sand, and rocks beneath the Earth’s surface. It is stored in underground formations called aquifers.

In many parts of the world — including Asia, Africa, Australia, and beyond — groundwater is a critical source of water for drinking, farming, and daily life.

🌱 Why Groundwater Matters

• It supports agriculture, especially in dry regions and during periods of low rainfall.
  
  

• It provides safe drinking water to billions of people around the world.
  
  

• It maintains the flow of rivers, springs, and wetlands, especially in dry seasons.
  
  

• It acts as a natural storage system, helping communities cope with droughts and climate change.
  
  

🌧️ How Does Groundwater Recharge?

Groundwater is recharged naturally when rainwater or snowmelt soaks into the soil and moves down to the aquifers. This process is called natural recharge.

Recharge can also be enhanced by building local structures, depending on the region. Examples include:

• Check dams and percolation ponds
  
  

• Farm bunds, trenches, or recharge wells
  
  

• Rainwater harvesting tanks or spreading basins
  
  

This planned approach is called Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), and it is an important strategy used in MARVI and similar initiatives worldwide.

🚨 Challenges to Groundwater Sustainability

In many countries, groundwater is under serious pressure due to:

• Overuse and unsustainable pumping
  
  

• Reduced recharge due to land-use change and climate variability
  
  

• Pollution from fertilisers, chemicals, and poor sanitation
  
  

• Lack of monitoring and shared rules
  
  

Groundwater depletion can lead to dry wells, land subsidence, and conflict over water use.

🤝 What Communities Can Do

Groundwater is a shared resource, and everyone has a role in protecting it. Communities can:

• Measure and monitor groundwater levels and quality using tools like the MyWell App
  
  

• Improve recharge through local water harvesting and conservation efforts
  
  

• Share water fairly within and across villages and regions
  
  

• Use wisely and protect groundwater from pollution and overuse
  
  

The MARVI approach helps communities and local water champions, known as Bhujal Jaankaars, take the lead in managing their groundwater sustainably.