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SUMMARY
Groundwater is a key component of water supply worldwide. In many areas, surface waters are inadequate or too polluted for effective utilization; while in other parts of the world groundwater is virtually the only source of water. Unfortunately groundwater is a fragile, finite, and often non-renewable resource. Overproduction and contamination threaten the water resource itself, and water supply conflicts threaten the peace and stability of neighbouring nations. Finding new, optimizing existing, and sustaining groundwater resources are extremely important components of water supply strategy. Rational application of geoscience principles and technology is a necessity for groundwater resource assessments, e.g. location of new water well drilling sites, optimizing and sustaining production from existing well fields, and detecting and mapping groundwater contamination. Geophysical surveys contribute to all aspects of the requirements for groundwater resource assessment. Importantly, geophysics provides remote, noninvasive information about subsurface geology, hydrogeology, and groundwater contamination. The results of geophysical surveys provide direct input to groundwater modelling and resource management.