Brief note on depletion of water table
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Groundwater is a valuable resource both in the United States and throughout the world. Where surface water, such as lakes and rivers, are scarce or inaccessible, groundwater supplies many of the hydrologic needs of people everywhere. In the United States, it is the source of drinking water for about half the total population and nearly all of the rural population, and it provides over 50 billion gallons per day for agricultural needs. Groundwater depletion, a term often defined as long-term water-level declines caused by sustained groundwater pumping, is a key issue associated with groundwater use. Many areas of the United States are experiencing groundwater depletion.
Excessive pumping can overdraw the groundwater "bank account"
The water stored in the ground can be compared to money kept in a bank account. If you withdraw money at a faster rate than you deposit new money you will eventually start having account-supply problems. Pumping water out of the ground faster than it is replenished over the long-term causes similar problems. The volume of groundwater in storage is decreasing in many areas of the United States in response to pumping. Groundwater depletion is primarily caused by sustained groundwater pumping. Some of the negative effects of groundwater depletion:
drying up of wells
reduction of water in streams and lakes
deterioration of water quality
increased pumping costs
land subsidence
What are some effects of groundwater depletion?
Pumping groundwater at a faster rate than it can be recharged can have some negative effects of the environment and the people who make use of the water:
Lowering of the water table
The most severe consequence of excessive groundwater pumping is that the water table, below which the ground is saturated with water, can be lowered. For water to be withdrawn from the ground, water must be pumped from a well that reaches below the water table. If groundwater levels decline too far, then the well owner might have to deepen the well, drill a new well, or, at least, attempt to lower the pump. Also, as water levels decline, the rate of water the well can yield may decline.
Excessive pumping can overdraw the groundwater "bank account"
The water stored in the ground can be compared to money kept in a bank account. If you withdraw money at a faster rate than you deposit new money you will eventually start having account-supply problems. Pumping water out of the ground faster than it is replenished over the long-term causes similar problems. The volume of groundwater in storage is decreasing in many areas of the United States in response to pumping. Groundwater depletion is primarily caused by sustained groundwater pumping. Some of the negative effects of groundwater depletion:
drying up of wells
reduction of water in streams and lakes
deterioration of water quality
increased pumping costs
land subsidence
What are some effects of groundwater depletion?
Pumping groundwater at a faster rate than it can be recharged can have some negative effects of the environment and the people who make use of the water:
Lowering of the water table
The most severe consequence of excessive groundwater pumping is that the water table, below which the ground is saturated with water, can be lowered. For water to be withdrawn from the ground, water must be pumped from a well that reaches below the water table. If groundwater levels decline too far, then the well owner might have to deepen the well, drill a new well, or, at least, attempt to lower the pump. Also, as water levels decline, the rate of water the well can yield may decline.
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1. Due to rise in population.
2. Increase in agriculture.
3. Increase in industrialization.
4. Deforestation.
2. Increase in agriculture.
3. Increase in industrialization.
4. Deforestation.
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