Sustainability of ground-water resources

Alley, William; Reilly, Thomas; Franke, O.

From Author Introduction: This introductory discussion indicates that the concept of ground-water sustainability and its application to real situations is multifaceted and complex. The effects of many human activities on ground-water resources and on the broader environment need to be clearly understood. We begin by reviewing some pertinent facts and concepts about ground water and some common misconceptions about water budgets and ground-water sustainability. Individual chapters then focus on the interactions between ground water and surface water, on ground-water storage, and on ground-water quality as each aspect relates to the sustainability of ground-water resources. We conclude by discussing the importance of groundwater data, uses of ground-water models, and strategies to meet the challenges posed in assuring sustainable use of ground-water resources. Throughout the report, we emphasize that development of ground-water resources has consequences to hydrologic and related environmental systems. We discuss relevant concepts and field examples in the body of the text, and provide more technical discussion of special topics and additional field examples in "boxes." An exception is the next special section, "General Facts and Concepts about Ground Water." Many readers familiar with ground-water concepts will want to go directly to the chapter on "Ground-Water Development, Sustainability, and Water Budgets."