Hi,

Surface water- It is water found in a river, lake or other surface cavities. Surface water is usually not very high in mineral content. Surface water is called as soft water due to its less mineral content.

Groundwater - It is water contained in or by a subsurface layer of soil or rock. Groundwater commonly contains less contamination than surface water because the rock tends to act as a filter to remove some contaminants. Due to the minerals picked up while filtering through the rocks, groundwater is typically considered to be hard water.

Majority of the water resources are contaminated with the bio and chemical pollutants. Increased industrialization and construction activities, the changing climatic conditions are also the reasons for water scarcity in India.

Groundwater is the water which is present underground in vast aquifers and must be pumped out of the ground after drilling a deep well.

Whereas , Surface water is the water found on the surface of the earth as found in lakes, rivers, and streams and is drawn into the public water supply by an intake.

Some of the factors responsible for water degradation are :-

• Sewage water dumped directly in water bodies
• Industrial waste
• Oil pollution
• Acid Rain
• Eutrophication.

Hope this helps.