Global Groundwater Depletion Accelerating, Study Finds

Despite alarming trends, some regions successfully curb declines through regulatory measures and aquifer recharge efforts.

Groundwater levels are declining rapidly across the globe, with the most severe declines occurring in arid, agricultural regions such as California's Central Valley and parts of Iran, Chile, Spain, Mexico, and India.
Researchers analyzed data from 170,000 wells in over 40 countries and found that groundwater depletion is accelerating in many areas, with declines worsening in 51% of the studied areas since 2000.
Groundwater depletion can lead to dry wells, diminished streams, sinking ground, and the loss of water reserves that have accumulated over centuries.
Despite the alarming trends, the study also found that efforts to address the problem in some areas are successfully curbing declines and boosting aquifer levels.
Examples of successful interventions include regulatory measures, importing surface water, reducing pumping, and using water transported from rivers to recharge aquifers.