Until recently, focus on groundwater mainly concerned its use as drinking water (e.g. about 75% of European Union (EU) residents depend on groundwater for their water supply), and recognising that it is also an important resource for industry (e.g. cooling waters) and agriculture (irrigation).
Go dtí le déanaí, bhain an díriú ar screamhuisce lena úsáid mar uisce óil go príomha (m.sh. braitheann thart ar 75% de chónaitheoirí an Aontais Eorpaigh (AE) ar screamhuisce dá soláthar uisce), agus ar aithint gur acmhainn thábhachtach é do thionscal (m.sh. uiscí fuaraithe) agus talmhaíocht (uisciú).