Groundwater Management

According to a recent study by the Legislatvie Analyst’s Office, during years where surface water is not available and rainfall is scarce, groundwater may provide up to 100 percent of irrigation water for certain areas and, where surface supplies are not accessible or economically feasible, groundwater can provide 100 percent of a community’s public water. Most groundwater originates as precipitation (rain or snow) that falls to the ground, infiltrates, and is eventually recharged into an aquifer. The age of groundwater can be difficult to determine, in part because many aquifers contain a mixture of water having a range of ages. In general, shallower groundwater is younger than deeper groundwater. Groundwater tends to become saltier naturally as it ages and interacts with surrounding rock, but groundwater chemistry can also be influenced by human activities. Groundwater management focuses on both water supply and water quality.