Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Introduction <br /> <br />Gold extracted from California's mountains and <br />streams in the latter halt of the 1800s generated an <br />economic wealth and a rich history that set the pace <br />for growth and development in the next century. <br />A magnet for entrepreneurs, California quickly <br />matured into a world leader in entertainment and <br />tourism, high-technology and financial management, <br />manufacturing and agriculture. <br /> <br />Supporting all of these ventures is groundwater, <br />water that is extracted from some of the most <br />productive aquifers in the nation. A hidden <br />resource, groundwater is an asset that few people <br />understand yet is increasingly relied upon by <br />growing cities and thirsty farms. A renewable <br />resource, groundwater in some locations is <br />intensely managed and in other places is hardly <br />managed at all. <br /> <br />Water pumped from <br />wells in a (\pical year <br />quenches 25 to 30 <br />perce11l (~f California '5 <br />\vafer needs. <br /> <br />Water pumped from wells in a typical year quenches <br />25 to 30 percent of California's water needs. Half of <br />all Californians rely on groundwater for at least a <br />portion of the water flowing from their taps. During <br />droughts, the state turns to aquifers as it they were <br />savings accounts - relying on groundwater for as <br />much as 60 percent of a year's supply to keep farm <br />fields in production and communities green. <br /> <br />The role of groundwater in the state's economy is <br />easily overlooked. California's famous system of <br />dams and canals is an understandable source <br />of pride. The ground-breaking public works that <br />capture, store and transport sur1ace water runoff <br />inspire water managers around the world. <br />They also are the source of controversy <br />as scientists and engineers struggle <br />to resolve environmental problems <br />linked to these projects. like <br />the disputes over water <br />in streams and reser- <br />voirs - over division <br />of supplies, protec- <br />tion of water quality <br />and preservation <br />of natural assets - <br />groundwater <br />management <br />presents similar <br />challenges that <br />must be <br /> <br /> <br />addressed if the maximum benefits are to be <br />realized. <br /> <br />For decades, communities have wrestled with the <br />consequences of pumping too much groundwater, <br />including intrusion of sea water into coastal aquifers <br />and land subsidence. Contamination of groundwater <br />from a variety of pollutants is an increasing concern <br />because of the potential health threats and because <br />pollution compromises the ability of aquifers to <br />hetp meet growing water demands. Some ground- <br />water is polluted with natural elements leached <br />from the earth, including radon, boron and arsenic. <br />Increasingly, health officials are concerned about <br />viruses and bacteria in groundwater. But <br />far greater problems are created by synthetic <br />elements - including some pesticides, herbicides, <br />nematocides, fertilizers, cleaning solvents and fuel <br />ingredients - that can contaminate the soil and <br />the aquifer. <br /> <br />Prior to modern development. California's visible <br />water system of streams, lakes, marshes and <br />estuaries was more closely linked to the groundwater <br />system of aquifers and springs. Today, a number of <br />contemporary water management strategies are <br />designed to take better advantage of the natural <br />relationship between suriace water and groundwater. <br />These more intensive groundwater management <br />efforts have prompted policy-makers to re-examine <br />how groundwater is regulated, how the rights to use <br />groundwater are defined and enforced. and how <br />groundwater quality is protected. Crafting politically <br />and economically acceptable management plans <br />requires more detailed scientific assessments about <br />the functions of particular aquifers. <br /> <br />The push to protect groundwater from contamina- <br />tion, clean-up existing contamination and increase <br />water yields in a semi-arid state makes it all the more <br />important for people to understand the role of ground- <br />water in their lives and the best ways to manage <br />and protect the resource. <br /> <br />This Layperson's Guide, part of a continuing series <br />published by the Water Education Foundation, <br />provides basic background information on <br />California's groundwater resources. It includes <br />discussions of groundwater development, ground- <br />water management, groundwater quality and <br />groundwater law. A glossary of common terms is on <br />page 20. Additional information about groundwater <br />can be found in the Layperson's Guides to Calilornia <br />Water, Water Rights Law, Drinking Water, Water <br />Recycling & Reuse, and Water Pollution <br />