Groundwater is the largest source of freshwater on Earth, supplying water for drinking, irrigation and other uses. However, groundwater is rapidly declining across the globe, often at accelerating rates, according to a new study published in Nature.
The study, led by researchers from UC Santa Barbara, presents the largest assessment of groundwater levels around the world, spanning nearly 1,700 aquifers. The researchers analyzed 300 million water level measurements from 1.5 million wells over the past 100 years.
The findings show that groundwater is dropping in 71% of the aquifers, and this depletion is accelerating in many places. The rates of groundwater decline in the 1980s and ’90s sped up from 2000 to the present, highlighting how a bad problem became even worse.
The accelerating declines are occurring in nearly three times as many places as they would expect by chance. Groundwater deepening is more common in drier climates, with accelerated decline especially prevalent in arid and semi-arid lands under cultivation.
Causes and consequences of groundwater depletion
Groundwater depletion is mainly caused by excessive pumping for human use, especially for agriculture. Climate change can also affect groundwater recharge and availability, as well as increase water demand.
Groundwater depletion can have serious consequences for human and environmental health. It can reduce water quality, increase pumping costs, lower crop yields, induce land subsidence, cause seawater intrusion and reduce streamflow and ecosystem services.
The study estimates that the rate of global aggregated groundwater storage depletion is between 100 and 200 km³/year, accounting for roughly 15 to 25% of total groundwater withdrawals.
Examples of successful groundwater management
However, the study also offers some hope and guidance for reversing groundwater depletion. The researchers found that groundwater levels have stabilized or recovered in 16% of the aquifer systems they had historical data for. These cases are only half as common as would be expected by chance.
The researchers identified some common factors that contributed to these success stories, such as:
- Implementing regulations or incentives to limit or reduce groundwater pumping
- Increasing groundwater recharge through artificial or natural means
- Promoting water conservation and efficiency measures
- Developing alternative water sources or technologies
- Enhancing stakeholder participation and cooperation
The researchers also highlighted some examples of successful groundwater management from different regions of the world, such as:
- The High Plains Aquifer in the US, where groundwater levels have stabilized or increased in some areas due to changes in irrigation practices and crop types
- The Upper Guadiana Basin in Spain, where groundwater levels have recovered after a decade of decline due to the implementation of a water management plan that involved stakeholder participation, monitoring and enforcement
- The North China Plain Aquifer, where groundwater levels have risen in some areas due to increased surface water transfers and artificial recharge projects
Implications and recommendations
The study provides a comprehensive and updated picture of global groundwater trends and dynamics. It also demonstrates that groundwater depletion is not inevitable, and that proactive management can reverse these trends.
The researchers suggest some implications and recommendations for policy makers, resource managers and scientists, such as:
- Improving data collection and sharing on groundwater levels and use
- Developing and implementing integrated water resources management plans that consider both surface water and groundwater interactions
- Promoting adaptive and participatory approaches to groundwater governance that involve multiple stakeholders and sectors
- Increasing awareness and education on the importance and challenges of groundwater resources
- Supporting research and innovation on sustainable groundwater management practices and technologies
The study concludes that \”groundwater depletion is a global problem with local solutions.\” It calls for urgent action to address this critical issue and ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources for current and future generations.