The water beneath our feet: our reliance on groundwater

Wednesday 9th Oct 2024, 10.00am

The world beneath our feet is a complex place. Deep within the rocks, water is on the move and it turns out that this groundwater is vital for the future. Only 3% of the Earth’s water is available as freshwater, so how can we protect this valuable resource?

Claudia Bertoni and Christopher Day, from the Department of Earth Sciences, and Marina Flores (IADIZA CONICET) take us underground in the UK and Argentina to uncover this hidden water.

In Argentina, local geology adds toxic arsenic to groundwater. It is essential to understand how this occurs so that rural communities can treat or avoid this contaminated water. Meanwhile, back in the UK, we discover the science behind organic farming practices that benefit groundwater and local ecology, and we explore the measures that you can take in your own home to use freshwater sustainably.

The ground beneath our feet is a sensitive system that supports our way of life. As populations grow and both industrial and agricultural activities intensify, our reliance on groundwater is set to increase. So next time you step outside, take a look down and consider the precious resource you might not have known was even there.

Producer: Dr Charlotte Bird

Writer and Editor: Rob Key

Camera: Rob Key and James Lee-Warner