MODE OF

OCCURRENCES OF
GROUND WATER
AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
 WHAT IS GROUNDWATER?
EARTH’S WATER EARTH’S FRESHWATER

30%
GROUND
WATER
`
97% 3%
OCEAN `
70%
FRESH GLACIER
S

EARTH’S FRESHWATER CONSIST OF 70%

EARTH’S WATER CONSIST OF 97%
WATER FROM GLACIERS AND 30% FROM
OCEAN WATER AND 3% FRESHWATER
GROUNDWATER
WHAT IS GROUNDWATER?
• Groundwater refers to water that is found beneath
the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the
fractures of rock formations.

• It is one of the most important sources of water for

various human activities and natural processes.

• Groundwater is replenished through precipitation

and surface water infiltration.
Groundwater
 GROUNDWATER AND THE Groundwater

HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
• The hydrological cycle is the most fundamental
principle of groundwater hydrology.

• The driving force of the circulation is derived from the

radiant energy received from the sun..

Water evaporates and travels into the air and becomes part
of a cloud. It falls down to earth as precipitation. Then it
evaporates again. This happens repeatedly in a never-
ending cycle. This hydrologic cycle never stops. Water
keeps moving and changing from a solid to a liquid to a
gas, repeatedly.
SOURCE OF
GROUNDWATER
Precipitation
• Groundwater primarily originates from
precipitation that infiltrates into the soil and
percolates downward until it reaches the
water table.

• Other sources include surface water bodies

like rivers and lakes, which can recharge
groundwater through infiltration.
MODE OF OCCURRENCES OF
GROUNDWATER
Groundwater exists in various modes of occurrence within the
subsurface environment, including:

• Aquifers
• Confined Aquifers
• Unconfined Aquifers
• Aquitards and Aquicludes
 AQUIFERS
Aquifers

● Aquifers are underground layers of permeable

rock or sediment that contain water and can
transmit significant quantities of groundwater.

● They serve as natural reservoirs capable of

storing and supplying water to wells and
springs.

● Aquifers are critical for groundwater extraction

and water supply systems in civil engineering
projects.
CONFINED AQUIFERS
• Confined aquifers are sandwiched between
impermeable layers of rock or clay, restricting the
movement of groundwater.

• The pressure within confined aquifers is typically

higher than in unconfined aquifers due to the
confinement, leading to artesian wells.

• Civil engineers must consider the presence of

confined aquifers when designing groundwater
extraction systems and assessing potential impacts
on surrounding structures.
UNCONFINED AQUIFERS
• Unconfined aquifers are not confined by
impermeable layers and are typically closer to
the surface.

• They interact directly with surface water

bodies and more susceptible to contamination
from the surface pollutants.

• Unconfined aquifers are commonly utilized for

domestic water supply and irrigation purposes
in civil engineering projects.
AQUITARDS AND AQUICLUDES

• Aquitards – saturated, permeable geologic unit

which cannot transmit significant quantities of
water. Also called a semi-pervious formation of
leaky formation.

• Aquicludes – geologic formation which may

contain water, but is incapable of transmitting
water.
 GROUNDWATER FLOWS
ON Groundwater
• Groundwater flows from areas of high hydraulic head to low
hydraulic head.

• Hydraulic head is the potential energy per unit weight of water at a

specific point in the aquifer.

• Understanding groundwater flow patterns is crucial for predicting

contaminant transport and managing water resources sustainably.
 Groundwater

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
• Groundwater contamination occurs when pollutants enter the
subsurface and mix with the groundwater.

• Common sources of contamination include industrial activities,

agriculture, and improper waste disposal.

• Contaminated groundwater poses serious health and

environmental risks, necessitating remediation efforts.
 IMPORTANCE OF GROUNDWATER IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
• Groundwater serves as a vital source of water for construction
purposes, such as mixing concrete, dust suppression, and soil
compaction.

• It influences the stability of foundations by exerting hydrostatic

pressure on subsurface structures.

• Groundwater also plays a role in geotechnical engineering, affecting

soil properties and slope stability.
GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION AND
MANAGEMENT
• Civil engineers employ various techniques to explore and manage
groundwater resources effectively.

• Methods include drilling boreholes, conducting geophysical

surveys, and implementing groundwater modeling.

• Sustainable groundwater management practices aim to balance

extraction rates with recharge rates to prevent depletion and
maintain aquifer health.