Question List 7. This process is called infiltration. Because of gravity, the filling or saturation of spaces between soil particles, and the pressure of the overlying water, water may continue to move down through the soil layer. As water moves past the root zone , the movement is referred to as percolation. Layers of soil and rock that are saturated with water are called aquifers.
Aquifers are able to transport water and supply water to wells, rivers, springs and marshes.
A ground surface area that provides a water entry port for a confined aquifer is called a recharge area or zone. Question List 8. Artesian water is a phrase found on many bottled water containers and other refreshment products. Artesian water comes from an artesian water source - a confined aquifer in which the water is under enough pressure that, when tapped by a well, the underground water rises above the level of the aquifer surface. In some cases, the water in the aquifer is under sufficient pressure to push the water right up and over the ground surface.