In a first, California cracks down on farms guzzling groundwater
In much of the United States, groundwater extraction is unregulated and unlimited. There are few rules governing who can pump water from underground aquifers or how much they can take. This lack of regulation has allowed farmers nationwide to empty aquifers of trillions of gallons of water for irrigation and livestock. Droughts fueled by climate change have exacerbated this trend by depleting rivers and reservoirs, increasing reliance on this dwindling groundwater. In many places, such as California’s Central Valley, the results have been devastating. As aquifers decline, residential wells start to yield contaminated water or else dry up altogether, forcing families to rely on emergency deliveries of bottled water.
Related articles:
- The Hill: California water regulators put major farming area on ‘probation’
- SJV Water: State board puts first groundwater basin on probation
- Ridgecrest Independent: ‘We’re not here to take somebody’s water rights’ - Water District clarifies stance in ongoing water litigation
- The Guardian: California cracks down on water pumping: ‘The ground is collapsing’