WorldWide Drilling Resource

Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., P.G. Conserve Groundwater - A Finite Resource In 2015, the western u.S. experienced a severe drought; many areas reached record low groundwa- ter levels. As a result, many pumps had to be lowered and new deeper wells had to be drilled at consid- erable expense. Note: Yes, this is good for the drilling industry, but very bad in the long run for well drilling professionals - if we lower the water levels beyond the depth they can recover, we will not be drilling any wells. In December 2015, the USA Today paper ran a series of very good articles on the overdrafting of groundwater in many areas around the u.S. and the world. Essentially, the articles said groundwater levels are “permanently falling” in many regions where groundwater is the main or only source of potable water available. Groundwater levels continue to decline in many areas because we are pumping water at a rate faster than the levels can recharge. What can we do to slow this trend, or even reverse it? The first and easiest way is to conserve water - only use what we need. Waste not - want not. let’s face it; we waste a lot of water because it is generally plentiful and cheap. If a plant needs a gallon of water, it is easier to “overwater” and be sure. Besides, extra water will rarely kill the plant. How many gallons of water does it take to wash a car? Would 50 gallons surprise you? Do you wash your car on the grass so the excess does not run off and waters the grass also? According to a recent study, the average person uses 50 to 100 gallons per day at home. A load of laundry is 43-51 gallons; shower - 5 gallons; toilet flush - 1.6 gallons. Other consumptive uses: milking cows - 35 gallons/day/animal, chickens - 9 gal- lons/day/100 chickens. Agriculture has made great strides in reducing the amount of water needed for many types of plants and animals. Watering only the plant roots, drip irrigation systems, watering early in the morning or late at night to reduce evaporation, etc. These are important conservation measures. Individuals, agriculture, industries, etc., we all need to be aware of our water usage and try to reduce our daily consumption of water. As the world’s population continues to grow exponentially, we need to conserve water now - before the crises is upon us. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com )' ) % ) ' # *# $ ' : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 % ( ) ' ) '%# : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : &4)1*4 *18*4 : &4)1*4 *18*4 ' $ + *#&( $ )% ! &4)1*4 *18*4: # #4 3 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4 3 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4: 24 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 4 4 8* 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4 3 *:>> ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : #4 3 *:>> > ! ! ;)4&7 ( 4276 703 ? ;)4&7 ( 4276 703 ? ;)4&7 ( 4276 703 ? '%*) *#& * ") * *#&( : &52 73 *: ! ! : 9* 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : #4 3 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73 *: ! ! &52 : 73 *: ! ! '#()'%$ $ % $ "% 6, "64**6 = 2(&,216&5 $" < 2745 &;5 & %**. = &: %&665 $" &1&)& 62 21)&; 4 )&; "** 274 %*' &+* 999 &4056421+0&(, 1* (20 0& ))4*55 &0( &4056421+0&(, 1* (20 43 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2016