How are unconfined aquifers also known?

Unconfined aquifers are known as water-table aquifers because the water level in these aquifers is at atmospheric pressure and is free to rise and fall based on surface conditions. The upper boundary of an unconfined aquifer is the water table, which is the level below which the ground is saturated with water. Unlike confined aquifers, which are surrounded by impermeable layers that pressurize the water within, unconfined aquifers can easily be recharged by precipitation and surface water infiltration. This direct relationship to the ground surface is what characterizes water-table aquifers, making it essential for understanding their behavior and management in water resource planning.