Circle of Blue
  • Podcasts
  • Water Security
  • Toxic Terrain
  • Great Lakes
    • The Checkup:
    • Refresh
    • Harmful Algal Blooms
    • Water’s True Cost
    • Fresh
    • Michigan’s Groundwater Emergency
  • Water Debt
  • WaterNews
    • WaterNews
      • The Daily Stream
      • Federal Water Tap
      • Fresh
      • Weekly Water Newsletter
      • Special Reports
        • Water, Texas
        • Tapped Out
        • Drying American West
        • Legionnaires’
        • Fair Bluff
        • After Paradise Burned
        • Water Pricing
        • Water Affordability
        • Water Scarcity in India
        • Groundwater
        • Delhi Waits For Water
      • Convenings
  • Features
    •  
      • The Biggest Dry: Arizona
      • Nebraska Nitrate Contamination
      • Lake Mead
      • Water and Financial Risks
      • California Drought
      • Septic Infrastructure in the U.S.
      • Stranded Assets
      • WASH
      • Cape Town
      • Flint Water Crisis
      • Australia
      • Hidden Waters, Dragons in the Deep
      • Himalayas
      • Designing Waters Future
      • Zeropolis
        • Big Cities, Little Water
      • Water and Climate
      • Unearthing Water Risks of The Global Mining Industry
      • Chennai
  • Choke Point
    • The World at a Choke Point
      • Choke Point: Australia
      • Choke Point: Tamil Nadu
      • Choke Point: South Africa
      • Choke Point: China
      • Choke Point: India
        • Chennai
      • Choke Point: Australia
      • Choke Point: Tehuacán Valley
      • Choke Point: U.S.
        • Choke Point: Index
          • California Central Valley
          • Great Lakes Algae
          • Ogallala Aquifer
          • Water Data
  • About
    • Fellowship
    • About Circle of Blue
    • Team Members
    • Board of Directors
    • Ethics and Sponsorship
    • Internships
    • Underwriters
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Groundwater: A Global Emergency

Groundwater is the most abundant source of liquid freshwater on the planet. Aquifers hold at least 25 times the water as rivers, lakes, and streams. Roughly two billion people rely on groundwater as a primary source of drinking water and nearly half the water used to irrigate crops comes from underground.

Yet despite its importance, groundwater is being used recklessly.

Groundwater in the United States

Nitrate Contamination in Nebraska

Is Agrochemical Contamination Killing Nebraska’s Children?

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2021-10-Nebraska-Groundwater-JGanter-IMG_2719-Edit-2500.jpg 997 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2022-02-02 10:37:352023-09-19 19:28:16Is Agrochemical Contamination Killing Nebraska’s Children?

Nebraska Agrochemical Contamination Throws Families, Communities, Water Providers into Turmoil

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2021-10-19-Nebraska-Creighton-Groundwater-JGanter-IMG_5126-Edit.jpg 944 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2022-02-09 11:00:532023-02-02 16:32:44Nebraska Agrochemical Contamination Throws Families, Communities, Water Providers into Turmoil

Michigan’s Groundwater Emergency

Michigan’s Groundwater Emergency

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018-08-Mich-Groundwater-JGanter-_G3_0543-Edit-2500.jpg 957 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-09-25 15:00:332022-03-22 12:43:15Michigan’s Groundwater Emergency

Remembering Michigan’s PBB Crisis

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018-08-Mich-Groundwater-JGanter-_G3_0740-2500.jpg 1600 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-09-25 14:30:562022-03-22 12:43:12Remembering Michigan’s PBB Crisis

Drip by Drip, Septic Systems Foul Michigan Waters

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2015-10-14-15-Septic-Tanks-JCGanter_G3_7324-Edit-2500-1.jpg 1067 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-09-25 14:27:062022-03-22 12:43:28Drip by Drip, Septic Systems Foul Michigan Waters

As Drought Grips American West, Irrigation Becomes Selling Point for Michigan

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-09-Michigan-Gillison-Farm-irrigation-JGanter-SV2A1476-Edit-2500-1-e1632752379934.jpg 796 1512 Keith Schneider https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Keith Schneider2021-09-27 10:05:312022-07-08 16:25:54As Drought Grips American West, Irrigation Becomes Selling Point for Michigan

Groundwater Around the World

As Seas Rise, Unchecked Groundwater Use Sinks Coastal Cities

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-04-25-Indonesia-Jakarta-drone-JGanter-DJI_0026-Edit-2500.jpg 984 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-08-29 10:52:512022-03-22 12:55:47As Seas Rise, Unchecked Groundwater Use Sinks Coastal Cities

Toxic Water, Toxic Crops: India’s Public Health Time Bomb

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2017-07-India-Food-Water-Security-JGanter-B11A9369-Edit-2500.jpg 492 1600 Jennifer Möller-Gulland https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Jennifer Möller-Gulland2018-08-27 10:01:002022-03-22 12:56:19Toxic Water, Toxic Crops: India’s Public Health Time Bomb

Hanoi Sinks As It Grows

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Hanoi-Street-2017.jpg 1120 1600 Jennifer Möller-Gulland https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Jennifer Möller-Gulland2017-07-19 14:06:502022-03-22 12:56:46Hanoi Sinks As It Grows

More Featured Stories

California Lawmakers Prepare Final Push for Groundwater Regulation

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GWcanal1000.jpg 563 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-07-29 00:30:052016-03-17 14:39:48California Lawmakers Prepare Final Push for Groundwater Regulation

Canvassing Fairgoers about California’s Drought

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/FerrisWheel1000.jpg 582 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-07-28 06:30:092016-03-17 14:39:53Canvassing Fairgoers about California’s Drought

In Colorado River Basin, Groundwater Is Disappearing Much Faster than Lake Mead

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/JGanter_ColoradoR_G3_9847.jpg 667 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-07-24 12:17:002021-06-04 09:39:12In Colorado River Basin, Groundwater Is Disappearing Much Faster than Lake Mead

In Silicon Valley, Symbols of California’s Drought Abound

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GWrechargedry1000.jpg 563 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-07-22 06:30:592015-12-14 11:56:20In Silicon Valley, Symbols of California’s Drought Abound

Drought to Cost California Agriculture $2.2 Billion and 17,000 Jobs, But Groundwater Is a Lifeline

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/CAvineyard1000.jpg 667 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-07-15 16:45:222016-02-09 13:58:41Drought to Cost California Agriculture $2.2 Billion and 17,000 Jobs, But Groundwater Is a Lifeline

In California, Groundwater Softens Drought’s Punch – That’s Both Good News and Bad

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cad2013111412394900372.jpg 667 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-05-23 06:00:362016-02-09 13:52:44In California, Groundwater Softens Drought’s Punch – That’s Both Good News and Bad

Ogallala Water Use Climbs as Drought Intensifies in the Southern Plains

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/OKduststorm.jpg 720 960 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-05-14 06:00:222021-09-21 17:42:32Ogallala Water Use Climbs as Drought Intensifies in the Southern Plains

Water Levels Dropping, Fresno Weans Itself from Groundwater

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Fresno.jpg 662 1000 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-05-07 18:25:262016-01-22 13:58:34Water Levels Dropping, Fresno Weans Itself from Groundwater

Most of California Groundwater Tables at All-time Lows, State Report Says

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/GWChange2013-14.jpeg 1000 725 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-05-01 12:14:312016-02-09 13:49:53Most of California Groundwater Tables at All-time Lows, State Report Says

Governor Jerry Brown’s Response to California Drought Follows Two Paths

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/jerry-brown.jpg 250 590 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-02-20 15:56:552015-12-14 12:10:47Governor Jerry Brown’s Response to California Drought Follows Two Paths

California Drought Saps Water Reserves Above and Below Ground, Says Satellite Data

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-05-at-11.38.37-AM-1.png 454 600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2014-02-04 15:32:102016-02-09 14:26:31California Drought Saps Water Reserves Above and Below Ground, Says Satellite Data

NASA’s GRACE Satellites Show Colorado River Basin’s Biggest Water Losses Are Groundwater (2005-2013)

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Chinahaze_tmo_2013341.jpg 720 720 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2013-12-13 17:21:042016-01-22 13:56:25NASA’s GRACE Satellites Show Colorado River Basin’s Biggest Water Losses Are Groundwater (2005-2013)

Report: Society’s Water Safety Net Is Fraying

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png 0 0 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2013-12-05 07:00:142016-03-10 14:01:57Report: Society’s Water Safety Net Is Fraying

Report: Australia’s Groundwater Is Worth Billions

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2238308701_352aa6dd4c_z.jpg 480 640 Codi Kozacek https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Codi Kozacek2013-11-12 14:53:452020-01-03 13:49:33Report: Australia’s Groundwater Is Worth Billions

Ongoing Texas Drought Threatens Supply from Two Reservoirs on Colorado River

https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/??JGanter_Austin_2013_G3_0395.JPG.jpg 0 0 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2013-10-31 13:19:082015-02-19 16:40:11Ongoing Texas Drought Threatens Supply from Two Reservoirs on Colorado River
Page 7 of 13«‹56789›»

© 2023 Circle of Blue – all rights reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Member of the Institute for Nonprofit News Donate to Circle of Blue
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only
 Share This
 Facebook
 Reddit
 LinkedIn
 Copy
 Email

Share on Mastodon