Aquifers
AquifersAn aquifer is a porous rock reservoir located beneath the soil. The water in our aquifers slowly entered this reservoir during the last ice age. Unfortunately, we are depleting this water reserve because of watering of lawns, irrigating crops and washing our motor vehicles. Even fountains waste water. During a recent trip to Tampa, Florida I noted that the fountains at the aquarium were covered because of a drought and their efforts to conserve water. Even the kiddy pool with marine animals was closed and covered.
Water is being removed from the aquifers faster than it is being replaced. This phenomenon is called an overdraft. The overdraft of water in Texas, Oklahoma and the Central Plains is estimated to be equal to the annual flow of the Colorado River. In our largest aquifer, the Ogallala aquifer, water is being removed 20 times faster than it is being replaced. Much of this water is being used to irrigate crops.
Many aquifers have been so depleted that the ground has actually collapsed because the water that held soil particles apart is gone. Mexico City is actually sinking because of overdrafts. In some parts of the city, the land as settled about 16 feet. Buildings that used to have steps going up to them now have steps going down to them. In 1981, in Winter Park, Florida, a large sinkhole formed over a three day period because there was a drought and the water table was not maintained. This sinkhole claimed a house, two businesses, damaged a municipal swimming pool, part of a street and a few cars. Events like this are occurring all over the world.
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© 2004, Arthur L. Buikema, Jr. All rights reserved.
