Groundwater is the water underneath the earth’s surface. It fills up spaces between soil, gravel, and rock formations and flows slowly through masses of permeable rock called aquifers. Groundwater is the source of drinking water for 51% of the U.S. population and 99% of the U.S. rural population. Groundwater is also used for irrigation of crops and for industry. It is brought out of the earth by digging wells and pumping the water up.

Sometimes because of the way underground rocks and material are formed, more water is directed into an underground area than can be held by it. Water can be forced upwards to the surface. Water which comes to the earth’s surface from way down underneath is called a spring.

If you look over the fence into our neighbor’s farm, you can see a tiny grove of bushes. That’s where ground water has bubbled up to create a spring which feeds our stream. (Please respect our neighbor’s property and do not trespass.)

Spring water may be very clear or it may contain minerals which color it. Even if spring water is cold and clear, it still may contain microorganisms which can make humans sick, so please don’t drink untreated water.