In an age where we can peer into the depths of space, it’s ironic that we’re overlooking a treasure right beneath our feet.
Groundwater is the lifeblood of our planet, sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and billions of people. Yet it is in most countries mismanaged, undervalued and overlooked until it’s too late.
Today we have the tools to turn the tide. From satellite technology and AI to nature-based solutions, the solutions are within our grasp.
Still, it’s estimate that only 2–5% of total investment in climate tech goes to water. Collectively, we need to do better.
Here are ten reasons why groundwater should be at the forefront of our environmental consciousness.
1️⃣ 21% of the world’s 37 largest aquifers are being depleted faster than they can be replenished
… Especially in the world’s driest regions.
California’s Central Valley: California’s Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world but faces severe groundwater depletion. Farmers have increasingly turned to groundwater to compensate for surface water shortages during droughts, leading to significant drops in groundwater levels. This over-extraction has caused land subsidence, damaging infrastructure and reducing the aquifer’s capacity to store water in the future.
Sources: NASA GRACE, USGS, NASA Earth Observatory
2️⃣ 43% of the water used for irrigation globally is supplied by groundwater
… Underscoring its critical role in maintaining global food security.
India’s Green Revolution: India’s Green Revolution relied heavily on groundwater for irrigation, transforming the country from a food-deficient nation to one of the world’s largest agricultural producers. However, this success came at a cost — over-extraction of groundwater in states like Punjab and Haryana has led to significant declines in water tables, threatening the long-term sustainability of agriculture in these regions
Sources: FAO, International Water Management Institute, World Bank).
3️⃣ Climate change could cause a 70% decrease in groundwater recharge in some arid and semi-arid regions by the 2050s
… Posing a serious threat to water availability in those areas.
The Sahel Region in Africa: In the Sahel region of Africa, climate change has exacerbated drought conditions, drastically reducing groundwater recharge. This has led to severe water shortages, impacting both human and livestock populations. Projects like the Great Green Wall initiative, which aims to restore degraded landscapes and improve groundwater recharge through reforestation, are crucial in mitigating these impacts
Sources: The Journal of Hydrology, UNCCD, World Economic Forum
4️⃣ Advanced remote sensing techniques have led to a 70% improvement in groundwater management efficiency
… Making it easier than ever to monitor and manage this precious resource.
WATAI’s WATEX™ technology combines satellite data with geological and climate information to identify groundwater resources in arid regions. This technology played a pivotal role in discovering a massive underground aquifer in Turkana, Kenya, which could supply water to over a million people. The use of advanced remote sensing has significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of groundwater exploration
Sources: Science of The Total Environment, WATAI, The Guardian.
5️⃣ 1.8 billion people worldwide are affected by groundwater overexploitation
… Leading to severe water stress in many regions.
Cape Town, South Africa, came perilously close to running out of water during the “Day Zero” crisis in 2018. The city’s reliance on groundwater to supplement dwindling surface water sources highlighted the global issue of water stress. Although “Day Zero” was averted, it served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by cities relying on overexploited groundwater resources
Sources: de Graaf et al., 2019, BBC, World Economic Forum
6️⃣ Nearly 48% of the world’s urban population relies on groundwater for daily water needs
… Highlighting its importance in rapidly growing cities.
Mexico City, home to over 21 million people, heavily relies on groundwater for its water supply. Over-extraction has led to severe land subsidence, with some parts of the city sinking by more than 9 meters over the past century. The city’s reliance on groundwater continues to strain its aquifers, making sustainable water management a top priority.
Sources: UN Water Report, National Geographic, World Bank
6️⃣
1.8 billion people worldwide are affected by groundwater overexploitation
… Leading to severe water stress in many regions.
Cape Town, South Africa, came perilously close to running out of water during the “Day Zero” crisis in 2018. The city’s reliance on groundwater to supplement dwindling surface water sources highlighted the global issue of water stress. Although “Day Zero” was averted, it served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by cities relying on overexploited groundwater resources
Sources: de Graaf et al., 2019, BBC, World Economic Forum
7️⃣ Unsustainable groundwater use results in annual economic losses estimated between $2–3 trillion,
… Seriously impacting agriculture and urban water security.
In the Middle East, where water is already scarce, unsustainable groundwater use has had severe economic consequences. In countries like Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the depletion of aquifers has led to increased costs for water extraction and treatment, impacting agricultural productivity and exacerbating social and economic tensions
Sources: World Bank, UNICEF
8️⃣ Agroforestry can boost groundwater recharge by 10–25%
… While simultaneously improving soil quality.
Agroforestry is a sustainable land management practice that integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, combining the cultivation of crops or livestock with the intentional planting of trees to create mutually beneficial interactions between these elements.
It’s a win-win scenario.
In Niger, the practice of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) has restored over 5 million hectares of degraded land. By allowing trees to naturally regenerate in croplands, FMNR has improved groundwater recharge, increased crop yields, and enhanced soil fertility, demonstrating the benefits of integrating trees into agricultural landscapes
Sources: Ilstedt et al., 2016; World Agroforestry
9️⃣ 15 billion liters of groundwater restored annually thanks to multi-stakeholder water stewardship initiatives
… Demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in sustainable water management.
In India, various public-private partnerships have emerged to tackle groundwater depletion. For instance, the Gujarat Water Infrastructure Limited (GWIL) has implemented water stewardship programs that engage local communities, industries, and government bodies to collectively manage groundwater resources. These initiatives have led to significant improvements in groundwater levels and water use efficiency.
Sources: CEO Water Mandate, World Bank, India Water Portal
🔟 45% improved groundwater use efficiency in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by water stewardship programs facilitating technology transfer
In Punjab, India, where groundwater over-extraction is a major issue, the World Bank’s water stewardship program has facilitated technology transfer to local SMEs. This program introduced water-saving irrigation technologies, such as drip and sprinkler systems, along with training on efficient water use practices. As a result, participating SMEs reported a 45% improvement in groundwater use efficiency, reducing stress on the region’s overburdened aquifers (World Bank, Punjab Water Resources Management).
Sources: World Bank, Punjab Water Resources Management
TLDR: Groundwater is precious but terribly mismanaged and undervalued.
Water security must be a collective effort
The alarming facts above don’t diminish our hope and vision of a water self-sufficient planet. We have the technology, knowledge and tools to secure our planet with vital groundwater for the future.
At WATAI, we understand that ensuring water security requires a delicate balance between innovative technology and nature’s inherent wisdom.
“The marriage of modern technology and ancient knowledge is an important one — myths and ancient stories are basically transposed forms of knowledge that hold often-unsuspected riches for us.”
- Dr. Alain Gachet, Water and Peace
💧 Now what?
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