Question

Why is the groundwater a highly overused resource?

Answer 1

Hint: While answering this question, try to keep in mind the irrigation system for agriculture that heavily depends upon the groundwater resources, especially in the areas where there is limited rainfall.

Complete answer:
Groundwater resources imply the water resources which exist below the surface of the earth. It is present in the soil pore spaces and fractures of the rock formations. Water table is the depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock become completely loaded with water. The table is recharged from the surface water as it seeps down the soil layer; it may percolate from the surface through springs or seeps while the major cause stays the rains.
Over the centuries groundwater has been utilized in a multiple ways, the most ancient and common being wells. The variety of purposes for which it is used are- agricultural, municipal, and industrial use for constructing and operating wells. With the ever-growing population, an increased pressure upon the agriculture practices and demand for its products has led to the exploitation of the groundwater level at concerning rate.
Now we seek to answer why groundwater is a highly overused resource:
Large and ever-growing population and consequently, greater stress on available but limited freshwater resources,
To facilitate greater agricultural production for the expanding population,
In better serving developing residential societies and commercial areas in the cities,
Irrigation intensive farming practices of farmers like rice, sugarcane, etc, lead to an increased burden on the groundwater level
Contamination of the water by industrial units who discharge their wastes into rivers and seas is also responsible for the dependence of masses on groundwater as the only source of freshwater.

Note:
The study of the distribution and movement of groundwater is called hydrogeology, (or simply, groundwater hydrology).Thus, these are, but only a few causes responsible for the exploitation of the groundwater resources. Freshwater is scarce; however, the ill-practices of masses act as a catalyst in further aggravating the seriousness of the threat. There is a need to be judicious while utilizing the natural resources, especially those which are limited.