U.S. Groundwater Consumption Accelerating

[marmar]

(ENS) – Aquifers across the United States are being drawn down at an increasing pace, finds a new study released today by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The report, “Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008),” evaluates long-term cumulative depletion volumes in 40 separate aquifers in the United States, bringing together information from previous studies and from new analyses of these distinct underground water storage areas.

Since 1950, the use of U.S. groundwater resources for agricultural, industrial, and municipal purposes has expanded. When groundwater is withdrawn from subsurface storage faster than it is recharged by precipitation or other water sources, the result is groundwater depletion.“Although groundwater depletion is rarely assessed and poorly documented, it is becoming recognized as an increasingly serious global problem that threatens sustainability of water supplies,” writes report author USGS hydrologist Leonard Konikow. ............................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/water/us-groundwater-consumption-accelerating

[Bluzmann57]

1. Well, it rains every damn day here

So I suspect the groundwater isn't being depleted here in the upper Midwest.

[Buzz Clik]

4. Maybe.

How long does it take water to reach the ground water? What fraction of the rain infiltrates and eventually percolates to the ground water rather than running off or evaporated?

What is the rate of water removal, and how does that compare to recharge?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. I just saw proof

My Colorado hometown draws off the Ogallala aquifer. When I was a kid 40 years ago, those who came to visit brought empty water jugs with them so they could take good Holyoke water back home.
10 years ago, they started having to add chlorine.
Now, all the faucets and coffee makers are crusted with mineral deposits because they're sucking on the dregs of the bottom levels. And it tastes like crap, everyone in town has a water filter just so they can stand to drink it.

It's all fucked up.

[madamesilverspurs]

3. And then there's fracking.

And the frackers get first dibs at the water auctions.

Here in Weld County, we're well over 20 thousand fracking wells. And the Greeley City Council and Greeley planning commission are granting drill permits within city limits as fast as they can be printed. With each well using and destroying up to 9 million gallons of water, it's not a pretty picture. Yes, farmers have already been instructed to cut back on planting.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Fracking adds to the problem, but the amount of water used is small compared to major consumers:

Irrigation
Industry
Domestic