groundwater mining

Groundwater mining refers to the extraction of groundwater from an aquifer at a rate faster than it can be naturally replenished. This process depletes the aquifer's water supply over time. Aquifers are underground layers of rock or sediment that hold and release water, serving as crucial sources of fresh water on Earth.1

When groundwater extraction exceeds recharge rates, water table levels drop significantly. This can lead to increased pumping costs, dried-up wells and rivers, and in coastal areas, saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. The Ogallala Aquifer in the Great Plains of the United States is a prime example, where extensive agricultural use has led to the depletion of a substantial portion of its stored water, which is not being recharged under current climate conditions.12

Groundwater can also become polluted from various human activities, including agricultural chemicals, landfills, and the potential use of aquifers for waste disposal.32