Relatively constant temperature and quality. Supply is less dependent on weather variations, compared to surface water. Spread of pollution is usually slow. Due to its advantages as a water source and its overwhelming abundance, ground water is a very important resource. Many people across the state rely on it for their sole source of fresh, clean water.
Ground water is an excellent water source that requires little purification.
People are finally beginning to realize that this resource is in serious danger of becoming contaminated from our activities. Any liquid that finds its way to the ground can eventually enter the ground water supply. For example, if one gallon of oil were to be dumped into the ground water supply, it would contaminate nearly one million gallons of ground water. Although the soil and other materials do naturally purify most of the water as it strains through, some harmful materials are allowed to pass through. About 500 uncontrolled hazardous waste sites have been identified in West Virginia.