Water: A Finite Resource

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Water.

Water Finite

It’s essential for:

  • Sanitation
  • Protection from the spread of disease and infection
  • Fire suppression
  • Crop irrigation
  • Food processing
  • Manufacturing
  • Cooling for energy production
  • Economic development
  • Quality of life

But, just three percent of the Earth’s water supply is freshwater – and most of that is ice in the form of glaciers.

Aquifers: The Importance of Groundwater

Groundwater, contained in shallow portions of aquifers, accounts for approximately 30 percent of our usable, freshwater. And, in some areas – such as Florida, where aquifers supply more than 90 percent of the state’s freshwater – these priceless underground resources provide a much larger percentage of a region’s freshwater.

Aquifers recharge when new, surface water enters them through precipitation, snowmelt, and streamflow. But freshwater levels in many aquifers are declining. That’s because the amount of water being pumped is exceeding the aquifers’ abilities to recharge.
Why?

  • Population growth
  • Agricultural needs
  • Increases in industry and development

 

A Gradual Lowering of the Water Table

If water utilities aren’t detecting and repairing the leaks in their underground distribution systems, and if they aren’t successfully regulating their system’s water pressure, they’re pumping more water than needed from rivers, streams, and aquifers. This excessive pumping of surface and groundwater is gradually lowering the water table in many areas, slowly reducing the Earth’s supply of usable water.

A 2019 study published in Earth’s Future, projects that increasing water demand throughout the 21st century will lead to water shortages in several regions.

  • Over the next 75 years, 204 watersheds across the United States are expected to experience varying degrees of water scarcity.
  • This includes key areas such as the Rocky Mountain states, Florida, California, and parts of the southern U.S.

As reported by National Geographic, scientists warn that the U.S. could see a significant reduction in its freshwater supply in less than 50 years. Currently, 40 out of 50 states are either already facing or are projected to face water shortages. With the average American using 80 to 100 gallons of water per day, demand is quickly outpacing supply.

According to ABC News, conservation is the most effective strategy to address this challenge. In the U.S., a water main breaks approximately every two minutes. Addressing this issue by improving the accuracy of water metering, repairing aging infrastructure, and reducing system losses can help preserve more water and ensure long-term sustainability.

 

Lower Water Levels Bring Higher Vulnerability

As the level of water in an aquifer decreases, the aquifer becomes more vulnerable to contamination from:

  • Salt water (especially in coastal areas)
  • Biological waste (manure and septic tank discharge)
  • Industrial chemicals (pesticides and petroleum products)

According to the analysis by USA Today and The Desert Sun, saltwater has been infiltrating declining aquifers in Florida, in coastal cities such as Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa.

And, once an aquifer is compromised, it’s very difficult to restore it. Water authorities may then be faced with digging new wells or investing in desalination technology.

540 Technologies Helps Utilities Become More Environmentally Responsible

We’ll help you detect and pinpoint the leaks in your distribution network, assess the condition of your underground pipes, and better control your system’s pressure, helping you avoid unnecessary pumping of preserve surface water and groundwater.

 

Learn More

 

Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure, a public service media project of Penn State Public Broadcasting, 2008.


“Pumped Beyond Limits, Many U.S. Aquifers in Decline,” USA Today and Desert Sun, by Ian James and Steve Reilly, December 10, 2015

 

“Why is America Running Out of Water?” National Geographic, by Jon Heggie, August 12, 2020

 

Adaption to Future Water Shortages: Earth’s Future, by Thomas C. Brown, Vinod Mahat, Jorge A. Ramirez, February 28, 2019

 

Why parts of America are ‘certainly in a water crisis’ and what can be done about it: ABC News, by Ginger Zee and Kenton Gewecke, April 19, 2023.