What is meant by infiltration? Explain the role of infiltration in water management.

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

**Step 1: Define Infiltration**
Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. This occurs when precipitation falls to the ground and seeps into the soil layers, replenishing groundwater supplies.

**Step 2: Explain the Process of Infiltration**
When rainwater or melted snow falls, some of it runs off the surface, while the rest seeps into the ground. The rate of infiltration depends on various factors such as soil type, vegetation cover, and land use. For example, sandy soils tend to allow water to infiltrate more quickly than clay soils.

...