97% of the planet’s fresh water exists underground. It covers 22% of the Australian continent and contains water that is up to 2 million years old.
Underground water is generally safer than surface water for drinking because of the filtration and natural purification process which takes place underground. This can be ineffective due to pollution from sewage, fertilisers and toxic chemicals that may seep into ground water supplies.
There are remote communities and rural properties that rely solely on bore water.
Because of the high salt content in some areas de salination plants are used.
The Great Artesian Basin is the largest underground water reserve of its type in the world.
90% of all rainwater is evaporated or used by plants, and only 10% ends up in rivers and underground aquifers.
So if underground water has a future we need to ensure that we do not extract it faster then it is replenished and we also need to keep it free from polution.
The skills of water diviners are often called on before drilling comences. Some people are skeptical of thier ability to locate water
©Sam Hensen 2009