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Waterloo Region relies on groundwater for drinking water. Unlike surface water in rivers and lakes, groundwater is hidden. Where you are standing right now, there could be groundwater underneath you. It might take some digging to get to it, but it's there.
Groundwater is in an aquifer; layers of sand, rock or gravel. Groundwater is the rain or melted snow that soaks into the ground filling the void spaces between sand grains, rock or gravel, moving ever so slowly - about a few metres every year.
But did you know what we put on the ground can be harmful to groundwater? Find out what you can do to help protect groundwater.
Groundwater's journey to your tap
You can find groundwater in an aquifer. When it rain or the snow melts, the water soaks into the ground to fill the spaces between sand grains, rock or gravel in an aquifer.
A pipe or well is put into the ground to collect the groundwater. The Region of Waterloo manages over 120 wells that supply groundwater to homes and businesses.
After the groundwater is pumped up the well it is treated and tested before going through underground pipes to your home.
