Groundwater Current Events in 2018: A Year in Review
The year 2018 brought a mix of challenges and breakthroughs in the realm of groundwater management and research. Here, we delve into the key groundwater current events that shaped the year, highlighting both the pressing issues and the promising advancements in this critical area of our global water resources.
Drought and Water Scarcity: A Persistent Threat
2018 continued to witness the devastating impacts of drought and water scarcity, with several regions around the world grappling with severe water shortages. California, Cape Town, and India's Gujarat were among the hardest hit, underscoring the urgent need for robust groundwater management strategies.
- California's Drought Emergency: Despite above-average rainfall in 2017, California's drought emergency was only partially lifted in 2018, with groundwater levels remaining critically low in many areas.
- Cape Town's 'Day Zero': The South African city narrowly avoided running out of water in 2018, thanks to strict water-saving measures and significant rainfall. However, the threat of severe water scarcity persists.
- India's Water Crisis: The Indian government declared a national water emergency in 2018, with 600 million people facing severe water scarcity during the summer months.
Groundwater Pollution: An Emerging Concern
Groundwater pollution continued to pose a significant threat to global water supplies in 2018. From agricultural runoff to industrial waste, various contaminants seeped into groundwater aquifers, raising concerns about the safety of drinking water and the sustainability of groundwater resources.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that nearly half of the nation's groundwater sources were contaminated with pollutants, including nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Meanwhile, in China, a study published in Nature revealed that 20% of the country's groundwater was too polluted for drinking or irrigation.
Groundwater Mapping and Modeling Advancements
Despite the challenges, 2018 also saw significant advancements in groundwater mapping and modeling technologies. These innovations promise to enhance our understanding of groundwater systems and improve the management of these vital resources.
Notable developments included the launch of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission, which will monitor global groundwater changes using satellite-based gravimetry. Additionally, researchers in Australia developed a new groundwater modeling tool that can simulate the impacts of climate change and human activities on aquifer systems.
Groundwater Sustainability Agreements in California
In response to the state's ongoing drought and groundwater depletion, California implemented the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014. In 2018, local agencies began developing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and Groundwater Sustainability Agreements (GSAs) to manage their basins sustainably. These collaborative efforts aim to balance groundwater use with recharge and ensure the long-term viability of California's groundwater resources.
Looking Ahead: Groundwater Priorities for 2019 and Beyond
As we enter a new decade, the groundwater challenges and opportunities that emerged in 2018 will continue to shape our global water future. Priorities for 2019 and beyond include enhancing groundwater monitoring and modeling capabilities, promoting sustainable groundwater use, and addressing the pressing issue of groundwater pollution.
By working together across sectors and disciplines, we can turn the tide on groundwater depletion and contamination, ensuring that these critical resources remain available for generations to come. As the groundwater current events of 2018 have shown, there is much work to be done, but there is also reason for hope in the face of these pressing challenges.
