Water Resources

Groundwater, present almost everywhere beneath our feet, is by far (99%) the most significant freshwater resource on Earth. As rain falls, groundwater recharges and continuously feeds rivers, lakes, wetlands and coastal waters. Through this process, water solutes, pollutants and particles are continuously transferred from the surface, through the soil, into the deeper subsurface layers that ultimately discharge to surface waters or are abstracted from water supply and irrigation wells. Water migrates through sediment and rock pore spaces, rock fractures, faults in aquifers, and even underground caverns (karst aquifers), potentially polluting valuable groundwater resources and groundwater-dependent or associated ecosystems.

In EGS, The Water Resources Expert Group focuses on the subsurface part of the water cycle, i.e. water in the unsaturated (incl. soil) and saturated (groundwater) zone, and conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water.

Related projects

Vulnerability of Shallow Groundwater Resources to Deep Subsurface Energy-Related Activities
VoGERA
Vulnerability of Shallow Groundwater Resources to Deep Subsurface Energy-Related Activities
Gather scientific evidence to investigate the relationship between industrial activity in the deep sub-surface and shallow groundwater resources, in a...
Resources of groundwater harmonized at cross-border and pan- European scale
RESOURCE
Resources of groundwater harmonized at cross-border and pan- European scale
Demonstrate the potentials of the harmonization of information about Europe’s groundwater resources through cross-border projects
Hydrological processes and Geological settings over Europe controlling dissolved geogenic and anthropogenic elements in groundwater of relevance to human health and the status of dependent ecosystems
HOVER
Hydrological processes and Geological settings over Europe controlling dissolved geogenic and anthro...
Gain understanding of the controls on both natural and polluted groundwater quality across Europe using the combined expertise and data held by member...
Tools for Assessment of ClimaTe change ImpacT on groundwater and adaptation Strategies
TACTIC
Tools for Assessment of ClimaTe change ImpacT on groundwater and adaptation Strategies
TACTIC furthermore contributed to easy access of information relevant to climate change assessments, which can be used directly or integrated into fut...

Other Scientific Themes

Basic Geology

Multiscale space-related datasets and data products are the fundamental components of geological baseline information delivered by national geological survey organisations. These datasets and products show and explain the geological architecture of the surface and subsurface of the Earth’s crust.

Boreholes

EGDI contains data on different sets of boreholes. Currently a WMS services is available.

Earth Observations and Geohazards

The systematic observation of the Earth’s surface and the monitoring of ground deformation allows the precise mapping and assessment of geohazards. Geohazards can have severe impacts on human lives and properties and may lead to serious socio-economic consequences.

Geochemistry

Chemical elements are the Earth’s building blocks. Geochemistry is the study of the distribution and concentration of Earth’s elements.

GeoEnergy

Energy is vital to the functioning of our society. We need energy to heat our homes, to produce food, for transport, and much more. But energy consumption poses two major challenges. First, our huge dependency on fossil fuels. Second, domestic energy production is decreasing.

GeoERA

Establishing the European Geological Surveys Research Area to deliver a Geological Service for Europe (GeoERA).

Geoheritage

Earth’s geological processes are happening around us all the time. The results are often distinctive geological sites (geosites) that can be unique, visually appealing or have scientific value.

Geophysics

Geophysics studies the Earth's interior using physical properties measured at or above its surface and produces mathematical models to predict those properties.

Marine Geology

About two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. In line with this, Europe’s seas total about fifteen million square kilometres, fifty percent more than its land area.

Mineral Resources

We live in a mineral-based world. It has been said that “if you can’t grow it, you have to mine it”. Indeed, virtually everything we use on a daily basis is manufactured from the Earth’s mineral resources. Mineral raw materials provide us with our basic needs – energy, infrastructure, transportation, technology and more.

Urban Geology

Geological and geotechnical information about the subsurface of cities are of paramount importance and of high socio-economic value for their development and the maintenance of critical infrastructure.