Sunday, July 12, 2020

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2020 14 JAMAICA WELLS AND SERVICES 50TH ANNIVERSARY F RESHWATER is an increasingly precious resource around the world. As global leaders work to ensure that humans have safe and sufficient water to drink, to promote agriculture, and for other vital activities, the importance of understanding groundwater grows. GROUNDWATER IS the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation andmoves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rock and sand. It is, there- fore, a renewable resource, although renewal rates vary greatly according to environmental conditions. It is also an abundant natural re- source. Of all the fresh water in the world (excluding polar ice caps), 95 per cent is groundwater. Surface water (lakes and rivers) only make up three per cent of our fresh water. Groundwater is naturally fil- tered by the earth that holds it. It can, however, be contaminated by pollutants that come into contact with the Earth’s surface. Care should be taken at the household, local, national, and global levels to protect groundwater from pollutants. THE MAKING OF GROUNDWATER Water from precipitation follows three main paths: 1. Some water evaporates from the Earth’s surface into the air or is breathed out by vegetation and returns to the Earth’s atmosphere. Some water runs off into streams, lakes, or oceans. 2. Some infiltrates into the ground. There, it follows various flow paths and can travel to the surface as springs, move into sur- face water, or recharge groundwater deeper in the earth. 3. Groundwater can move into large underground natural storage areas known as aquifers and/or ar- tesian wells. See more information on ‘Understanding the hydrologic cycle (Page 13). As groundwater moves through the ground, it dissolves some of the minerals with which it comes in contact. Those dissolved minerals give groundwater its chemical char- acter or quality. In many cultures throughout the world, that specific character is appreciated by thirsty consumers as much as the taste and character of a favourite cola, beer, or wine. Many bottled waters come from groundwater reserves. GROUNDWATER AND PRIVATE WATER WELLS Frequently, private water wells tapping groundwater resources can provide the highest-quality water available to homeowners and busi- nesses. Deep drilled wells recharge themselves and can provide a con- stant, steady supply of water that is not easily affected by dry-weather conditions. Private water wells allow con- sumers to take more control of their water. Well owners can take steps to protect their groundwater from contaminants and can hire trained professionals to conduct regular maintenance checks and water-quality tests. Wellowner.org Let’s talk groundwater 50 th Email: donenginfo@gmail.com Telephone Number: (876) 928-1846 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATION BUILDING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FG WILSON GENERATORS Congres Jamaica Wells and Services Limited on their Golden Anniversary