National Groundwater Awareness Week is March 10-16

The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) has organized this week-long event, devoted to raising the public's awareness of groundwater.  Some facts gained by reading the NGWA's press release about the event are definitely worth sharing:

• 99% of all available freshwater in the world is groundwater, according to the USGS. That means all the world’s rivers, lakes, and streams make up only 1%.
• The USGS also reports that on average, 30% of all streamflow in the U.S. is from groundwater.
• Perhaps 90% of the population in rural areas would have no reliable water source if it weren’t for private household water wells that tap groundwater.

Considering the impact of these facts on our day to day lives, this week is about raising public awareness and increasing stewardship for our groundwater resources.  So take a moment to learn more about groundwater, appreciate its value, and discover ways to protect it!

Suggested resources for further reading on the topic of Groundwater:
Wisconsin's Water Library's Water Research Guide: Groundwater
University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute
USGS Water Science School: Groundwater
NGWA: About Groundwater
NGWA: Groundwater Stewardship, Protection and Conservation
Wisconsin DNR: Groundwater

Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council Report Published

The Groundwater Coordinating Council (GCC) recently published its annual evaluation of the state of Wisconsin's groundwater.  Seeking to identify current and future threats, its goals include coordinating groundwater monitoring and research, fostering public education, and identifying effective solutions.

The 2012 GCC Report's recommendations include issues of immediate concern (viruses and other pathogens), efforts that require continued support (implementing a statewide monitoring strategy), and emerging issues that need to be addressed in the near future (frac sand mining).

UW Sea Grant's Director Jim Hurley served on the Groundwater Coordinating Council and subcommittee members from the University of Wisconsin System included Paul McGinley, Maureen Muldoon, Tim Grundl, and Trina McMahon.

Wisconsin's DNR article about the report can be read here
Recommendations: Directions for Further Groundwater Protection can be read here
Link to read the full report here

Global Groundwater Levels Dropping

The most recent issue of Science News reports that globally, groundwater levels have dropped over the last nine years, a trend that's visible thanks to gravity-monitoring satellites.

 
This is especially true in areas where agriculture is increasing, often drawing a higher water demand in dry climates. For example, according to Science News, California's Central Valley pulls almost 4 cubic kilometers of groundwater per year. That's enough to fill over 1.5 million Olympic sized swimming pools- and that's only one region of the globe. Other factors, such as climate change, worsen the problem. In order to reach a more globally sustainable levels, changes will have to be made in irrigation and other water management practices.

Want to learn more about gravity-monitoring satellites or groundwater levels?

• Access Science News at the Water Library or other UW Madison Libraries
• Check out our Understanding and Protecting Groundwater book list
• Visit the EPA's Groundwater and Drinking Water web page
• Visit the GRACE Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment web page

Image via GRACE