Surface water moves downward through empty spaces or cracks in the soil, sand, or rocks. The water then fills the empty spaces and cracks above that layer. The top of the water in the soil, sand, or rocks is called the water table and the water that fills the empty spaces and cracks is called groundwater. Groundwater supplies a major portion of Alaska's drinking and industrial water. Changes in groundwater flow and supply and/or groundwater contamination can result in significant threats to human health and infrastructure.
