#PCAST is forming a new working group to determine how best to measure and manage groundwater resources in the US, which are essential for agriculture, manufacturing, and of course for drinking water, but for which we have surprisingly little quantitative understanding of. One of the first actions of the working group is to seek public input on the following questions:
How can we enhance the timely collection of data on groundwater inventory, use, recharge, and flow across the United States to gain a whole-of-country picture of the nation’s groundwater resources?
How can we effectively model and predict changes in the inventory, recharge, and flow of groundwater in the context of the overall water cycle and provide that information to stakeholders and decision-makers?
How can we efficiently scale groundwater recharge while mitigating risks?
How can we ensure clean and safe groundwater, especially for the communities that are affected most by groundwater contamination and depletion?
How can we engage with communities to successfully ensure a sustainable supply of groundwater, including for agriculture, industry, energy, human consumption, and healthy ecosystems and biodiversity?
What strategies and incentives can help limit groundwater over-use?
