The world's largest store of accessible freshwater — hidden beneath our feet
Groundwater accounts for roughly 99% of all available liquid freshwater on the planet. It supplies drinking water to billions of people, sustains agriculture, feeds rivers and wetlands during dry periods, and supports ecosystems that depend on a steady supply of clean water. Yet because it sits out of sight, beneath layers of rock and soil, it often goes unappreciated — a challenge that is especially acute in today's attention economy, where visibility drives engagement and understanding.
Many communities rely entirely on groundwater for their water supply. In the UK, around a third of public water supply is sourced from groundwater, and in many parts of the world the proportion is far higher. Even where surface water serves as the primary source, groundwater plays a critical role in maintaining river flows, particularly during summer months when rainfall is low. Despite this importance, public awareness of groundwater's contribution to daily life remains limited.
Groundwater faces growing pressures from over-abstraction, pollution, and climate change. In some regions, water is being extracted faster than it is replenished, leading to falling water levels and land subsidence. Pollutants from agriculture, industry, and urban areas can find their way into aquifers, sometimes persisting for decades. Climate change is further altering rainfall patterns, affecting how and when groundwater is recharged. Addressing these challenges requires not only technical solutions but also broader public understanding of the resource at risk.
One of the most significant challenges in groundwater management is its largely invisible nature. Unlike a river or a lake, groundwater is hidden beneath our feet, making it difficult to communicate its value through conventional outreach. Real-world examples; places where groundwater becomes visible at the surface, are essential for education and engagement. By mapping these locations, we aim to help educators, students, and the wider public connect with this essential resource and understand why it deserves our attention and care.
Start by noticing. Next time you walk past a spring, a well, or a damp patch of ground where water seems to be seeping up, consider where that water has come from, perhaps from hundreds of metres underground, filtered through rock over years or even centuries. With support from the wider community, we are aiming to develop this into a high-quality, collaboratively curated resource. If you would like to contribute, share the location with us.
