GROUND WATER AVAILABILITY: AN UNCERTAIN PATHWAY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Concern about the availability of water to meet the needs of future generations is taking on an increased urgency in the face of the numerous recent examples of water shortages throughout the world. Increased competition for water to meet domestic, agricultural and industrial needs while maintaining ecosystem function and other natural environments – coupled with the prospect that many regions of the globe may face continuing droughts – exacerbates the problem. Groundwater is already a major source of supply throughout much of the world and, by virtue of its enormous reserves as compared to surface water, holds the promise of being an even greater source of supply in the future. For the promise to become reality requires that the hydrogeologist quantify the options and tradeoffs as policymakers and water managers seek long-term water-supplies while, at the same time, grapple with short-term socio-economic and political realities. To do this the hydrogeologist must help people:

• Understand groundwater systems and how they may be affected by natural and anthropogenic stresses

• Understand the tradeoffs of groundwater extractions and how to mitigate effects

• Integrate emerging technologies into water management

• Inform the public about groundwater as a source of sustainable supply

Often, management options and tradeoffs require information beyond that traditionally provided by the hydrogeologist. The National Ground Water Association is actively working to integrate hydrogeologic and cultural information into a conceptual framework that shows the relationships among recharge, discharge, storage, pumpage, the hydrologic budget and global socio-economic factors. The framework reflects today's more sophisticated understanding of the interconnection between surface water and groundwater, the important role water plays in other parts of the natural environment, and the significant impact people have on natural-water systems. The framework's complexity mirrors the problems facing policymakers and water managers as they work to ensure a safe, inexpensive and secure source of water.