1. By Cameron, Nate, Sophia, Tate, and Zoeya

2. Why do we care about groundwater? Groundwater makes up 95% of the fresh water on the planet. This is created when rain and melted snow soaks into the soil and filters through openings in bedrock and sand creating underground lakes of fresh water. 44% of the U.S. population relies on groundwater for its supply of drinking water; while the rest rely on surface water sources such as lakes and rivers.

3. How can groundwater be polluted? Groundwater pollution happens when toxic materials dissolve in water that has soaked into the soil. If rain water or surface water touches contaminated soil while going into the ground, it will be polluted and carry the pollution with it down to the rest of the groundwater. It can also because contaminated if a toxic liquid just seeps into the ground. Some toxic liquids do not mix with the groundwater and stay down there for a long time which contaminates even more groundwater as it passes through the toxic liquid. It can become polluted by many different things. It can become polluted from agriculture, because of cows and other animals poop soaking into the ground. It can be polluted by people putting pesticides on their lawn. Another thing that can pollute it is industry when it dumps toxic chemicals out, or if their chemical disposal system malfunctions.

4. How can you clean groundwater? Different ways can be used to clean up. One way to clean up is: polluted groundwater is pumped from the soil or bedrock, then treated to remove the toxins or other pollutants, finally pumped back into the ground. If pollutants are released slowly into the ground larger amounts of water need to be pumped to quickly to remove pollutants. In this case groundwater pollution is delt by containing the pollution in a small area to protect animals and plants. Other types of groundwater pollutants can be left in the water without being treated.

5. How can groundwater pollution be prevented? Don’t put chemicals down the drain like oil animal waste. Every once in a while check for fuel or oil tank leaks. Don’t put oil or fuel in places you know have leaks. When you pour oils or fuel make sure it doesn't go into the ground. Don’t leave oil/fuel tanks or cans left out in the rain.

6. Where is groundwater located? Ground water is located under the earths surface It is found in soil pore areas where the wet soil can create water Ground water is also found in little parts of a rock that are covered in dirt underground When it is found in a rock it is called a aquifer It can only be a aquifer if it can yield a certain amount of water.

7. The End!