How Declining Groundwater in California Is Affecting Farmers

Across the country and around the world, there are stories of declining water resources that impact residents, businesses and the agricultural community. Here in California, the issue of water shortages is affecting many people, especially farmers who rely on groundwater for irrigation of their crops. California farmers are responsible for growing a significant portion of the country’s food, including products like artichokes, grapes, carrots, broccoli and walnuts. Unfortunately, declining groundwater in California is creating a desperate situation for farmers who need water resources for their crops. To help prevent the loss of crops, many farmers are turning to professional water surveyors to locate groundwater that can be used for irrigation.

Common irrigation problems

In California, water has been at the forefront of environmental discussion for decades. With a massive agricultural industry that requires a significant amount of water for irrigation, as well as years of drought conditions, a water crisis has arisen for many farmers. Groundwater supplies have dwindled across the state and, without steady rainfall, there isn’t enough precipitation to restore these underground water sources. These issues can become even more detrimental for farmers who have old or outdated well equipment. As well pumps age, they can develop leaks and mechanical issues and become much less productive, which can drive up energy costs. By replacing outdated pumps, many farmers have been able to achieve more reliable irrigation and save money on energy and maintenance costs.

Finding groundwater

Another major challenge for farmers is the regulations that are associated with groundwater in California. Even though these regulations can be useful for the preservation of groundwater, they do lead to some concerns among farmers. The potential for strict regulations, like metered groundwater usage, and fees for pumping groundwater is enough to make farmers feel cautious about the future of agricultural irrigation.

Finding a new source of groundwater once another well has dried up is of critical importance to those in the agricultural community. There are several different factors that can affect the size of groundwater sources, and these factors can be difficult to understand. On top of that, groundwater in California has experienced declining levels in recent years, which makes it even more challenging to locate a reliable source of water. Because of this, many farmers are turning to professional water surveyors to help them locate groundwater sources. Even though this requires an initial investment, it can come with significant returns when you consider the value of a reliable water supply in an agricultural context.

Water surveys

Even though it’s challenging to find a reliable source of groundwater in California, hiring professional groundwater surveyors allows you to ensure that you are able to locate the most reliable source of irrigation possible. At National Groundwater Surveyor Inc., we understand the challenges associated with groundwater levels when it comes to agriculture, which is why we are prepared with sophisticated equipment and years of experience that allows us to effectively locate underground water sources as deep as 1,500 feet. To get a free quote for our services or to find out more about how we can assist you, reach out to us today to speak with a member of our team.