As precipitation hits Earth’s surface or runoff flows across the surface, some of this water soaks into the ground and seeps down to become groundwater.

Water that has been absorbed by the soil will be partly used up by plants and partly evaporated at the surface of the soil. Water that has not been absorbed by the soil seeps through to the subsoil. Subsurface water that has not been absorbed by the soil is called groundwater.

Infiltration. Infiltration happens when water soaks into the soil from the ground level. It moves underground and moves between the soil and rocks.

The part that continues downward through the soil until it reaches rock material that is saturated is groundwater recharge. Water in the saturated groundwater system moves slowly and may eventually discharge into streams, lakes, and oceans.

Water stays in soil for around one to two months although this varies greatly. Water that’s in soil moves into the atmosphere by evaporation and also by transpiration. There are exceptions.

Water that soaks into the soil can also continue to percolate down through the soil profile below the water table into groundwater reservoirs, called aquifers. Water that doesn’t soak into the soil collects and moves across the surface as runoff, eventually flowing into streams and rivers to get back to the ocean.

Large amounts of water are stored in the ground. The water is still moving, possibly very slowly, and it is still part of the water cycle. Most of the water in the ground comes from precipitation that infiltrates downward from the land surface.

The ground penetrating radar (GPR) system is used for underground water detection. GPR is a promising technology to detect and identify aquifer water or nonmetallic mines. One of the most serious components for the performance of GPR is the antenna system.

Underground Water Leak Repair Cost Repairing underground water list will cost $150 to $3,000. Simple, easy to access repairs cost $150 to $700. Anything difficult to get to or that requires replacing large pipe sections might hit up to $3,000.

Homeowners insurance may help cover damage caused by leaking plumbing if the leak is sudden and accidental, such as if a washing machine supply hose suddenly breaks or a pipe bursts. So, if damage results after you fail to repair a leaky toilet, for example, homeowners insurance likely will not pay for repairs.

Instructions

1. Determine If You Have a Leak. Some common indicators of a leak in your underground water line include:
2. Locate the Leak.
3. Turn Off Water to the House and at the Street.
4. Dig the Trench.
5. Drain Water From the Trench.
6. Repair the Water Line.
7. Test the Repair.
8. Fill the Trench.

Homeowners insurance will only cover water leaks and water damage if the cause is sudden or accidental. For example, if a pipe bursts out of nowhere, the damage will likely be covered by your insurance policy. Gradual water damage, which occurs slowly and over time, is not covered by homeowners insurance.

Under most standard home insurance policies, if water damage occurs suddenly or accidentally from a source inside your home, such as a busted pipe, it will likely be covered by your homeowners insurance. If the water comes from outside your home, it will not be covered by your standard policy.