Water security assessment: Ground water as the ultimate water supply
Natural disasters such as droughts, floods, fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes have long plagued broad regions of the United States by undermining agricultural and industrial productivity, and the well-being and social fabric of communities. Coping with disasters will become even more difficult as the result of rising sea levels and altered weather patterns caused by global climate change. Manmade disasters caused by point and nonpoint pollution have been a long-standing concern that now, in the face of ever-increasing demands for water, may undermine our ability to meet all needs. Global political instability also heightens world concern about the safety of water supplies. It is imperative that our communities will not be demoralized and threatened by the loss of a water supply should a disaster strike.
Ground water may also be the only available water resource when natural or manmade disasters strike. Ground water is found in virtually every part of the nation in aggregate volumes that far exceed all surface water sources. It is protected from immediate contamination by virtue of its location tens to hundreds of feet below land surface and from long-term contamination by virtue of its slow rate of movement. Generally, ground water will be protected from manmade and natural disasters for years, decades, or longer. Unlike surface water supplies, water-supply wells are virtually invisible on land surface and are relatively easy to secure. Gaining access to ground water reserves is relatively inexpensive.