"America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow"

"Overuse is draining and damaging aquifers nationwide, a New York Times data investigation revealed."

"A wealth of underground water helped create America, its vast cities and bountiful farmland. Now, Americans are squandering that inheritance.

The Times analyzed water levels reported at tens of thousands of sites, revealing a crisis that threatens American prosperity.

Nearly half the sites have declined significantly over the past 40 years as more water has been pumped out than nature can replenish.

In the past decade, four of every 10 sites hit all-time lows. And last year was the worst yet."

Mira Rojanasakul, Christopher Flavelle, Blacki Migliozzi, and Eli Murray report for the New York Times in the first of a series August 28, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"Five Takeaways From Our Investigation Into America’s Groundwater Crisis" (New York Times)

"Uncharted Waters" (New York Times)