Do we have any idea how important Groundwater Is?

By July Peller Ph.D.

Roughly half of people in the United States and worldwide depend on groundwater. Agriculture practices rely heavily on groundwater for watering crops and raising animals. Unlike surface water, it is difficult to determine when groundwater is overdrawn or polluted. As a result of increasing populations and limited water management, groundwater has been removed faster than it is replenished. This leads to water supply shortages. Major threats to the quality of groundwater include leaking septic tanks and fuel tanks, and chemicals from leaching landfills, pesticides and fertilizers.

                The overdrawing of groundwater is a serious problem around the country and around the world. In the United States, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (a group of non-government experts who make recommendations) is working with communities on ways to protect groundwater. The council is currently recommending i) an inventory of groundwater sources (aquifers) in the country, ii) an increase in the capacity to monitor groundwater levels and water quality, iii) greater emphasis on groundwater stewardship by federal agencies and iv) legislation to encourage communities to plan sustainable use of groundwater on a local level.

                Arizona is facing severe water shortages. Last year, the governor renounced the use of groundwater for future growth in the city of Phoenix since the current level of groundwater withdrawal is not sustainable. An advisor for the governor admits that the state lacks basic information on groundwater supplies due to the lack of monitoring and management. Currently, about 80% of the state of Arizona lacks groundwater regulations. As a result, certain agricultural operations have over-pumped groundwater that drained neighboring community water wells. 

It is more difficult to preserve a resource that is hidden below ground. Since the earth’s groundwater makes up 99% of its liquid fresh water, these resources need protection. “We are thankful for the gift of living water. Let us be guided to use it wisely, learn from its humility, consume it sparingly, and protect its purity, so that with St. Francis, we may truly enjoy water.” (by Cathal Duddy) 

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University ). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.