GROUNDWATER DECLINE AND DEPLETION
GROUNDWATER depletion is a serious threat to the environment. The majority of our bodies and the Earth is made up of water.
We may see the beautiful, flowing surface waters that make up the oceans, lakes and rivers, but this water is not always safe for consumption and is much more difficult to filter than groundwater.
Consequently, water from the ground is especially valuable.
Groundwater is something that we need world over. Humans and animals need water to survive as our bodies could not function without it.
We also need water to assist us in growing crops, powering equipment, and to keep us comfortable. Societies require more clean water than we are afforded from rainfall and surface water, which is why groundwater is used so frequently.
But reports coming from the Water Resources Management Authority that Zambia is at a risk of having a water crisis, are so disturbing.
The reports have continued to indicate that water resources in the country are diminishing at an alarming rate.
The diminishing of the resource can also be seen from the drying of many streams that are contributary to rivers such as the Zambezi and Kafue rivers.
It is worrying that the ground water table has dropped to as low as 120 metres in areas like Lusaka West, a situation that cannot be compared to a few years back when ground water in Lusaka could easily be accessed after drilling about 35 to 40 metres.
Groundwater depletion commonly occurs because of the frequent pumping of water from the ground. We pump the water more quickly than it can renew itself, leading to a dangerous shortage in the groundwater supply.
According to Conserve Energy Future, as a growing world with a population that continues to rise, the more we pump water from the ground at a rapid rate, the more difficult it is for the groundwater to provide us with the amount of water that we need.
We continuously pump groundwater from aquifers and it does not have enough time to replenish itself. Water flows freely through the saturated rocks known as aquifers. There are large and small aquifers, and they are the underground water reserves that absorb water and hold it, enabling us to pump it for use.
The amount of water that aquifers hold is beyond impressive and can provide us with billions of litres of water per day. While this amount of water seems plentiful, groundwater is a major contributor to the Earth’s freshwater supply and is responsible for providing up to 40 percent of freshwater in the world. Therefore, it doesn’t have the ability to recollect quickly enough to be continually sourced for our use.
Agricultural needs require a large amount of groundwater. It’s frightening to think that there isn’t very much groundwater left when you consider how much water we use on a daily basis to support our population and personal lifestyles. A large amount of groundwater goes to farming, but the availability of groundwater is steadily declining.
Without it, it will be extremely difficult to provide water for crops and animals that would help communities during times of drought. The less water that is available, the less food we have and we will be faced with the issue of great demand and very little supply.
Groundwater depletion can also occur naturally. The problems we would face with freshwater shortage is sure to cause problems in every aspect of our lives. The activities that lead to groundwater depletion come mostly from humans, but a portion of it also comes from changes in our climate and can speed up the process.
So, what are some of the effects
of groundwater depletion?
Groundwater depletion will force us to pump water from deeper within the Earth. The more we extract groundwater right below the earth’s surface, the further down we have to go in order to get more.
As we have to extract water from deeper within the Earth, we find that there is less water available. Consequently, we will have to use even more resources to develop alternative methods to reach further into the ground.
Large water bodies will become shallower from groundwater depletion. A groundwater shortage keeps additional water from flowing into lakes, rivers and seas.
This means that over time, less water will enter as the existing surface water continues to evaporate. As the water becomes less deep, it will affect everything in that particular region, including fish and wildlife.
Saltwater contamination can occur. We may pump groundwater instead of sourcing it from lakes and rivers, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t connected to larger water. Groundwater that is deep within the ground often intermingles with saltwater that we shouldn’t drink.
When freshwater mixes with saltwater, it is called saltwater contamination. This sort of contamination would raise the prices of drinking water for everyone because it will cost much more to pump and filter.
A lack of groundwater limits biodiversity and dangerous sinkholes result from depleted aquifers. Aquifers collect groundwater and are extremely important.
However, averting the problem, as individuals, one of the things we can do to make a difference is to use less water for luxury purposes. We must all address the issue of groundwater depletion. Considering the impending crisis of a mass water shortage, everyone should do their part to use less water whenever.
Throughout countless neighbourhoods, large amounts of water are used for swimming pools while water hoses are kept running to wash cars and for other miscellaneous reasons. We conserve water when we turn off the faucet and reduce our usage of washing machines, dishwashers and similar appliances.
Also, we save a massive amount of water by deciding not to use water for decorative and unnecessary reasons at home. Water is used so freely that it is often part of outdoor decor ideas and used for major attractions, such as amusement parks.
We should reduce our use of chemicals and dispose of them properly. Many people are not paying attention and are simply unaware of how important it is to keep pollution from occurring beneath the ground.
The water from businesses and private residences that run into the streets and sewage systems are commonly laden with chemicals. These chemicals find their way into larger water bodies and absorb into the ground, poisoning animals and the soil. By using less chemicals and discarding of them carefully, we keep them from adding toxic materials into our water supply.
More comprehensive research and additional funding can help with groundwater depletion. The best way to approach the topic of groundwater depletion and to find a solution is to think on both a personal and government level. Laws that are in place for the pumping of groundwater should be stricter and follow specific regulations.
There are many scientists, researchers, and sustainable companies that remind us how important it is to know the amount of groundwater we actually have.
They also believe that many of the policies we have should be changed with the consideration of saving groundwater in mind instead of treating it like an endless resource.
One of the most effective ways to address the issue of groundwater depletion is to find alternative sources of water. Alternative water sources can be used to help replenish aquifers. Deriving water from other sources would also give aquifers time to refill instead of pumping too much water from them at once.
The pumping of groundwater should be regulated. If we don’t have a better understanding of our groundwater supply, then we can easily use much more than we should.
Understandably, more funding should be granted towards researching our groundwater supply instead of just pumping the water, so that we can set limits and better pace our usage.
Additional funding should be given to support initiatives that not only study the supply of groundwater we have, but also seek to find sustainable ways to use less of it.
With this said, we urge WARMA to be bold and apply the law to avoid Zambia running into a water crisis otherwise efforts towards social and economic growth of the country will remain pipe dream.
Remember, water is life!