Seeing the invisible: a strategic report on groundwater quality
Rivers, lakes, and wetlands cover the landscape of our blue planet, but over 97 percent of the world’s freshwater resources lie beneath the ground. In fact, scientists estimate that there is 100 times as much groundwater on Earth as there is freshwater on its surface. Groundwater is vital to human welfare and development, and in many countries it is the principal source of water for drinking, irrigation and industry. As a core component of the hydrological cycle, groundwater is also critical to sustaining many aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Globally, groundwater resources are under increasing pressure due to overexploitation, pollution and climate change. A new publication, Seeing the Invisible: A Strategic Report on Groundwater Quality, argues that the quality of groundwater, deserves equal attention.
