What percentage of the population depends on groundwater for drinking and domestic purposes?

The percentage of the population that depends on groundwater for drinking and domestic purposes varies by region and other factors, but a widely accepted figure for many places, especially in rural and some urban areas, is around 50 percent. Groundwater serves as a crucial source for many communities, primarily where surface water sources are limited or contaminated.

Groundwater is essential not only for drinking water but also for irrigation, industrial uses, and maintaining ecosystem balance. Many households rely on groundwater wells, springs, or aquifers for their daily needs. Understanding the reliance on groundwater is critical for environmental health practitioners, as it informs water management strategies, pollution control, and public health planning.

Other options indicate either lower or higher reliance that may not reflect the comprehensive understanding of groundwater dependency across various demographics and geographical locations. Thus, the chosen percentage of 50 percent accurately represents a significant proportion of the global population that utilizes groundwater as a primary source of drinking and domestic water.