In a near-equal measure, groundwater that lies below the atmospheric surface is equally vital to sources of drinking, agricultural, and industrial water worldwide. It is alarming that the equilibrium is such that we are consuming this vital but very slowly replenished resource. In many countries, this situation is being termed ‘over-extraction’, which is gradually becoming synonymous with future calamity. Continued neglect would mean that much of the current generation may not find enough water for drinking or for agricultural inputs in the near future.
What causes groundwater to be overexploited?
Groundwater is overused when the rate of extraction becomes so high in comparison to the natural rate of replenishment. Adverse climatic conditions, agricultural practices, and population pressure are some of the reasons responsible for this crisis, but agriculture is the greatest contributor. Groundwater irrigation is very much developed, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones, where rainfall is inadequate. However, the fast expansion of urban centers and industrial practice also creates immense stress on groundwater. Factories and industries, and the municipalities therein, are draining the groundwater reserves chiefly where surface water is not available for wide use.
Population growth and climate change are factors escalating this crisis even further. The growing population has increased demand for water for domestic uses such as drinking, washing, and bathing. With changing patterns of rainfall and persistent droughts, people are relying more on groundwater instead of surface water for their daily requirements. Such increased dependency aggravates the crux of the problem.
Serious Consequences of Excessive Exploitation of Groundwater
When groundwater starts being abstracted beyond the required amount, the first impact is on aquifers or underground water storage systems. Eventually, it takes centuries or decades to refill them after depletion. Then, as water levels fall below the ground, the soil begins to shrink, pulling the ground down. Since then, farther down, the surface has started sinking in this verb-titled land subsidence, damaging buildings, roads, and infrastructure.
Groundwater depletion is also detrimental to water quality. Alongside the extraction, layers of saline and mineral-rich water infiltrate toward the surface, contaminating the potable water. In those coastal areas, saline intrusion remains another side effect of groundwater overexploitation.
Besides, groundwater supports many lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Aquifer depletion ceases the flow of these water bodies, impacting the biodiversity of organisms and upsetting the dynamic equilibrium of the ecosystem. Moreover, the deeper water extraction means increased energy demand, increasing electricity bills and cost to the overall country.
How Monitoring Can Save This Invaluable Heritage?
To address over-exploitation of groundwater, it should be regularly monitored. Regularly means periodically checking water levels, flow, recharge, and quality to allow preventive measures in any area before a crisis emerges. For instance, if a fast-falling water level exists in any area, it could be declared as a water-extraction-limit-setting area.
Several technical measures may be useful in this regard. For instance, groundwater level monitoring may tell where the water level is changing in an area in time. Flow rate and recharge monitoring may help determine how much water enters and exits the water source. If this rate of extraction is more than this rate of recharge, then immediate policies can be made.
Water quality monitoring is also of utmost importance. In groundwater extraction, the concentrations of minerals and chemicals in the water are steadily rising. This can affect health negatively. The risk is much more severe in the coastal regions when saltwater gets mixed with groundwater.
How Technologies like Consibio are Helping
Nowadays, many tech companies are providing smarter solutions for groundwater monitoring. Companies such as Consibio are providing battery-powered sensors that also work far from the grid. Those sensors provide real-time data that can be monitored via the cloud. This tracks water levels and water quality simultaneously.
These technologies offer water managers the basis for informed decisions – from especially when to extract water, to when not to, and in what quantities for sustainability.
Conclusion
Groundwater refers to portions of our life that are acknowledged only when they are found in crisis. Declining groundwater levels are putting at risk the present time and, perhaps, the future too. Hence, it is our duty to use, monitor, and conserve it using the help of technology. This will ensure the very possibility of bestowing a safe water future for our successors.
