Saltwater intrusion

Saltwater intrusion is a problem that can occur when people use too much underground freshwater. Freshwater is the kind of water we drink and use for things like irragation and bathing.

When too much underground freshwater is used and not replaced, the levels of underground water get lower and lower. This creates a vacuum that sucks in salty water from the ocean and other nearby bodies of salty water. The salty water then gets mixed into the available freshwater, making it undrinkable and unsuitable for usual freshwater applications. This is called saltwater intrusion.