This activity center is part of the Water Protection theme.
Purpose of this activity:
At this activity centre, there is a model of an aquifer, which is any soil through which groundwater moves easily. The model illustrates the subsurface (sand, gravel and bedrock aquifers and aquitards) and its relation to the surface water (lakes and rivers). A pump can be used to change the amount of precipitation in the system. Water moves continuously through the model from higher to lower elevation (due to gravity). There are several wells to demonstrate the effect of pumping on an aquifer.
Key messages:
Groundwater does not run in underground rivers; it percolates through sand and gravel
Groundwater is a source of drinking water through wells
Pollutants on the ground or in lakes will enter groundwater and percolate through it, contaminating drinking water
