Groundwater Resource Management
Introduction
Why are we harvesting this resource?
What are the impacts?
Industrial, agricultural and residential waste seeps into the ground and into aquifers, contaminating the water and leaving entire wells useless. It can take upto 30 years for these contaminants to seep down into an aquifer before contaminating it so it is very difficult to track the source of contamination.
How can we sustainably use groundwater?
Water quality and water consumption must be monitored strictly throughout the year. This will ensure that the water is free of contaminants and also if there are any fluctuations in water usage that need to be addressed such as growing consumption etc.
There are cities that require consumers to pay water on a per-use basis. This makes water a commodity, not a resource which results in less usage as the customer is not paying a fixed fee for unlimited water. This method of paying for water must be implemented in as many communities as possible.
Resources must be expended on tracing and tracking contaminants which pollute aquifers. Locals must be taught the dangers of using biocides on lawns which lead to the contamination of groundwater.