Final answer:
The water table is the natural level at which the ground becomes saturated and varies in depth following the Earth's topography; rising with hills and sinking with valleys, contributing to groundwater resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The water table is the natural level at which the ground becomes saturated. This dynamic layer rises during wet periods when there is ample recharge from precipitation and lowers during times of drought. Groundwater flows through the voids in soils or fractures in rocks and is a crucial source of fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and ecological sustenance. Importantly, the water table can be found at varying depths, generally following the topography of the Earth's surface, and can sometimes even be found very near to the ground level. Additionally, groundwater can become contaminated via surface activities, which can spread due to the nature of subsurface water flow.