A Fatal Thirst For Water

Our global need for fresh water is exceeding the natural supply.

Everything suffers

when an aquifer is drawn down

to near depletion.

Global agricultural irrigation water demands presently accounts for 70 percent of global water withdrawal,*  and most people do not realize that nature can no longer keep up with that large of demand.

 

In my own country, the world's largest aquifer (Ogallala Aquifer - U.S. Midwest) is presently having 30-percent more water drawn from it than the rainfall of it's eight state area can recharge.  Unless something is done to correct this, it is estimated that this aquifer will become 70% depleted by 2070.**

To put this into perspective, the Ogallala Aquifer holds more water than Lake Huron of the US Great Lakes, but the present rate of withdrawal by area agriculture is greater than 18-times the flow of the Colorado River.  The current severe drought in the US West/Midwest will only make things worse.  Nature simply cannot keep up with a recharge rate equal to this much withdrawal

We all need to be aware that fresh water sources in many areas in the world are being withdrawn at unsustainable rates and then express our opinions and concerns.

 

* United Nations Article "Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet", - https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/water

 

** Article:  https://theconversation.com/farmers-are-depleting-the-ogallala-aquifer-because-the-government-pays-them-to-do-it-145501Agricultural 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Water is precious and needs to be treated as such. We have got so used to turning our taps on and having clear running water available. We take it for granted. It is good to be advised of the drought conditions in other parts of the world. A reminder to us all, that we could all be faced with similar situations if demand exceeds what mother nature can supply. A most thought provoking senryu Watercress, with plenty of additional reading material. Even small changes in household use can make a difference. If everyone did that, the impact would be greater still.

Chris

[Remanence]

Again your words are wise Chris. Less than 1/2 of one-percent of the world's water is fresh and accessible to draw upon. If we would all conserve water through wiser usage, for all of the reasons you have brought forth, it would be a major positive step. In our State of Kansas, one-third of shallow wells have already went dry and it is due to agricultural drawdown of their aquifer for irrigation water (they use 90% of all water drawn).
Thank you for your review and heartfelt comments and concerns. You are truly a global citizen!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Watercress. Have a good day.

Chris