page_title: Water storage
section_title: Wetlands
hierarchical_section_title: Water storage / Types of water storage / Wetlands
context_page_description: Water storage is a broad term referring to storage of both potable water for consumption, and non potable water for use in agriculture. In both developing countries and some developed countries found in tropical climates, there is a need to store potable drinking water during the dry season. In agriculture water storage, water is stored for later use in natural water sources, such as groundwater aquifers, soil water, natural wetlands, and small artificial ponds, tanks and reservoirs behind major dams. Storing water invites a host of potential issues regardless of that waters intended purpose, including contamination through organic and inorganic means.
context_section_description: Wetlands span the surface/sub-surface interface, storing water at various times as groundwater, soil moisture and surface water. They are vital ecosystems that support wildlife and perform valuable ecosystem services, such as flood protection and water cleansing. They also provide livelihoods for millions of people who live within and around them. For example, the Inner Niger River Delta in the Western Sahel zone supports more than a million people who make their living as fishermen, cattle breeders or farmers, using the annual rise and fall of the river waters and its floodplains.
  Wetlands are basically sponges that capture and slowly release large amounts of rain, snowmelt, groundwater and floodwater.  Trees and other wetlands vegetation slow the speed of flood water and more evenly distribute it across the wetland.  The combination of increased water storage and flood water hindrances lower flood heights and reduce erosion.
caption: Wetlands in Donana National Park (Huelva, Spain)
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