What is groundwater?

Groundwater refers to water that is found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. It is stored in aquifers, which are geological formations that can hold and transmit water. This subterranean water is a crucial resource for drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and various industrial processes.

The other choices represent different sources of water. Water from lakes and rivers refers to surface water bodies, while water used in surface irrigation highlights a method of distributing water directly to crops without involving underground sources. Water sourced from rainfall pertains to precipitation, which might eventually contribute to groundwater recharge but is not groundwater itself. Hence, the most accurate definition aligns with the understanding that groundwater is specifically the water stored beneath the surface of the soil.