How to build a national effort to secure America’s disappearing groundwater

America’s food supply depends on increasingly strained aquifers. Here are some essential building blocks for a national effort to secure our groundwater.

A center pivot system using groundwater to irrigate a field in New Mexico. Rural communities across the Southwest face rapidly declining groundwater levels. Photo: Balvarius.

In early 2024, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s (PCAST) requested input on how to address the country’s groundwater challenges. For EDF’s Climate Resilient Water Systems team, which has been working on this issue for over a decade, this provided an opportunity to reflect on what strategies have been effective and where we think future efforts should be focused. We submitted written recommendations to the President’s Council and accepted a subsequent invitation from the committee to participate in an in-person workshop to flesh out possible strategies.

EDF submitted written recommendations to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in 2024.

Groundwater is one of our most vital resources, underpinning a secure food supply, providing drinking water for nearly half of the U.S. population, sustaining ecosystems like wetlands and streams, and supporting rural economies. Although groundwater is largely managed at the state level–resulting in a patchwork of policies and protections–alarming rates of decline in groundwater levels across the U.S. poses a significant threat to the nation’s water security and highlights the urgent need for targeted federal support to address this growing crisis.

When PCAST released its final report in December, we were thrilled to see strong alignment with our priorities and recommendations to tackle groundwater challenges. Here are three specific actions points that both EDF and the PCAST taskforce are calling for:

Increase Data Availability and Access

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s groundwater, and therefore more effectively manage the resource we need: 

• Increased funding for federal and state monitoring networks to improve data on groundwater levels, quality, and recharge in vulnerable areas.
• Improved cross-agency data management to ensure high-quality, interoperable, and accessible information for timely decision-making.
• Advanced technology and platforms for collecting and sharing data, enabling decision-makers to address groundwater depletion effectively.

The PCAST report emphasizes the need for a unified national data repository, incorporating federal, state, and private well data, as well as emerging technologies like remote sensing to expand groundwater monitoring. They also propose developing a national protocol to standardize groundwater data collection and sharing, ensuring data quality and usability. These measures align closely with EDF’s priorities for enhanced monitoring networks, cross-agency collaboration, and advanced tools to support timely and informed decision-making.

OpenET is an example of a scientifically robust and publicly accessible platform that leverages remote sensing data.

Strengthen and Expand Community Engagement

Building sustainable groundwater systems requires collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including:

• Inclusive planning processes that bridge state, federal, and local organizations while considering cultural and regional contexts.
• Support for regional governance structures to foster equitable and sustainable groundwater management.
• Funding pilots and research to demonstrate water-saving practices and improve adoption of innovative strategies.
• Strengthening tribal water rights by resolving outstanding issues, increasing access to clean drinking water, and supporting tribal self-determination in water use.

PCAST’s recommendation to establish regional Groundwater Engagement Hubs are in support of EDF’s vision for inclusive and equitable community engagement. These hubs would aim to provide technical assistance, promote science-based management practices, and create collaborative spaces tailored to local and regional needs. The report highlights the need to address historical inequities by dedicating hubs specifically to Tribal Nations, enhancing their access to groundwater resources and supporting self-determination, which EDF strongly supports. Additionally, PCAST highlights the need for competitive grants to encourage science-based regional governance and inclusion of communities that have historically been marginalized, mirroring EDF’s advocacy for funding pilots and research that empower local decision-making and sustainable management.

The Water Leadership Institute helps underrepresented and disadvantaged communities engage in effective local groundwater management and water decision-making.

Balance Water Demand with Supply

Strategies to reduce over-extraction and promote long-term sustainability include:

• Voluntary and compensated groundwater use reduction programs.
• Water accounting systems to track usage and inform adaptive management practices.
• Efficient irrigation practices, coupled with policies that prevent conserved groundwater from being redirected to unsustainable use.

The PCAST report highlights the need to incentivize sustainable water management and expand research to guide farmers in selecting crops and practices that support economic viability while minimizing groundwater impacts. This reflects EDF’s work across geographies to support the development and implementation of voluntary, compensated and locally-tailored programs that reduce groundwater demand while maintaining food security and strong rural economies. PCAST also highlights the importance of advanced water accounting systems to help local water managers and farmers understand groundwater availability and usage—echoing EDF’s call for data-driven decision-making. By integrating these approaches, PCAST reinforces EDF’s emphasis on the critical role of water accounting and providing incentives to bring water systems back into balance.

The Groundwater Accounting Platform supports irrigation districts and farmers in tracking water availability and use.

As over-extraction—intensified by climate change—continues to deplete dwindling groundwater supplies, the need for open dialogue and actionable solutions has never been more urgent. PCAST’s recent call for recommendations provides a crucial opportunity to address this pressing issue. While groundwater management primarily falls under local and state jurisdiction, the federal government can play a transformative role by enhancing access to critical data, empowering communities to engage in managing this essential resource, and bolstering funding to support groundwater security.