Average estimated national groundwater volume per year, 1994-2014

Groundwater is the water stored beneath Earth’s surface in aquifers (layers of water-bearing rock or sand). It is used for human and stock drinking water, irrigation, and industry, and also has a role in sustaining some rivers, lakes, and wetlands, especially during low-flow periods. The health of surface-water ecosystems also depends on groundwater.

Estimated national groundwater volumes by year and aquifer type (confined, or unconfined)
aquifer_ty = aquifer type
cubicm = estimated groundwater volume in cubic metres (m3)

This dataset relates to the "Groundwater physical stocks" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.