Where is it Depleting?

          As you already know, water depletion is prevalent worldwide. Although this is a global issue, there are areas of the world that are depleting faster and at a higher rate than others.

            As you can see by this map showing the highest rates of water stress, the southwestern United States, northern Africa, and the Middle East are suffering from very high rates of water depletion.

            When it comes to freshwater specifically, two-thirds of the world's population - around 4 billion people - live in areas receiving only one-quarter of the world's annual rainfall. Much of this rainfall will run off too quickly for people in these areas to use it. Areas of the world with high water stress such as Asia are only able to get most of their freshwater during monsoon season. However, this season only lasts for about 10% of the year.  This explains part of the reason Asia has high water stress levels. When it comes to northern Africa, much of the reason for its high water stress is due to fact that what water they do have, has become polluted. In northern Africa they also do not get very much rainfall and have to resort to pumping for their water. Using wells can sometimes be too costly for this region to afford. Not only is it difficult for this region to obtain their water when they find some, but the freshwater they find is usually contaminated. Finally, the southwestern United States is suffering from high water stress levels because this area is not only highly populated, but it also uses a lot of water for agriculture and irrigation. The primary source of water for irrigation in this region is the Ogallala Aquifer. The Southern portion of the Ogallala Aquifer is thought to run out due to the low level of recharge compared to the amount of water pumped.

Sources:

Staff Writers. "Groundwater Depletion Rate Accelerating Worldwide." Terra Daily. 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Groundwater_Depletion_Rate_Accelerating_Worldwide_999.html>.

 

Hinrichsen, Don. "Freshwater: Lifeblood of the Planet." People and the Planet. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://www.peopleandplanet.net/?lid=26385>.

 

Wheeler, Erin A., Eduardo Segarra, Phillip Johnson, David B. Willis, and Jeffrey Johnson. Aquifer Depletion and the Cost of Water Conservation: The Southern High Plains of Texas Case. Rep. Aug. 2006. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CFkQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fageconsearch.umn.edu%2Fbitstream%2F25410%2F1%2Fpp060212.pdf&ei=bGpCT52vBoGe2AXx4LWUCA&usg=AFQjCNFJs016uymCqJelHUUVqFgJtrdCSA&sig2=2deK8q4rbdWNveEuPDnVhg>.