What term is used to define the layer of saturated ground?

The term used to define the layer of saturated ground is the water table. The water table represents the boundary between the saturated zone, where all the pores in the soil or rock are filled with water, and the unsaturated zone, where the pores contain both air and water. Understanding the water table is crucial for tasks like construction, landscaping, and plumbing, as it affects groundwater availability, drainage, and the design of septic systems.

The other terms refer to different aspects of groundwater management or geology. Bedrock describes the solid rock layer beneath the soil and sediment, which does not necessarily indicate saturation. Surface water refers to water that collects on the Earth's surface, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, whereas groundwater is the water that exists in the saturated zones below the surface. However, it is the water table that specifically delineates the level at which soil or rock is saturated with groundwater.