In recent years we have become more aware of environmental threats than we once were. Many countries, especially more economically developed nations, have laws and guidelines to help protect the environment. Economic development brings industry and larger cities. Both demand more services and amenities. This places greated pressure on the environment and there are many possible sources of pollution.

Yet surely our water is safe? In developed nations water is brought to our homes in sealed pipe systems kept well away from sources of pollution. Even in developing nations the dangers of pollutants seeping through the surface into wells must be small.

Groundwater is vulnerable to pollution. Some of the features of groundwater that make it so useful also make it a fragile resource. The way that groundwater moves under the surface of the earth means that even seemingly well separated waste and fresh water systems can come into contact.

Leaks from rusting storage tanks in a closed down petrol station might eventually enter public water supplies, even if extraction takes place many kilometres away from the original source of pollution. Without accurate hydrogeological information on groundwater movement it is impossible to plan development and extraction in a sustainable and safe way.

It is not just urban areas that contribute to possible pollution. With time, pesticides or fertilisers used in agriculture can enter groundwater systems, and even manure spreading and ploughing can have an impact.