Groundwater simply put, is any water found below the surface of the soil.  A more technical definition of groundwater is any supply of fresh or saline water found below the water table that is naturally stored in underground aquifers, or that flows through and saturates soil and rock, often supplying springs and wells.  An aquifer is a geological formation that can store, transmit and yield water to a well or spring.

Groundwater is a precious resource that must be protected from any and all types of pollution.  With careful planning and responsible operation and maintenance, onsite wastewater treatment systems will not threaten groundwater.  Abandoned wells can also negatively impact a groundwater supply if they are not properly taken care of.

Groundwater in Texas comes from 32 aquifers.  Nine of those 32 aquifers provide about 97% of the groundwater Texans use.