Wee, H. (2015, May 13). Well Water Metering? Not on My Land, Say California Landowners. Retrieved August 24, 2015, from http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/california-drought/well-water-metering-not-my-land-say-california-landowners-n358296

Dry years have led to an increase in groundwater pumping. Unfortunately, groundwater is a nonrenewable resource. Gov. Jerry Brown signed in a law requiring local districts to measure the amount of groundwater in their vicinity. This is seen as the first step to requiring private landowners to report the amount of water they’re pumping. Many view the groundwater under their land as theirs, and many are angry at the prospect of being forced to report the amount of water they’re pumping. However, decades of groundwater extraction has lead large amounts of land sinking. As the drought worsens, more and more people are applying for water and drilling permits. Meanwhile, those who already own pumping mechanisms are pumping deeper and deeper. Limits on groundwater pumping are expected to come sometime in the future.

This issue involves a variety of topics relevant to environmental science. Private landowners think that the groundwater is theirs, and therefore they may pump as much as they want to. In reality however, groundwater flows, meaning that one water pumper is most likely “stealing” groundwater from another person’s land. Pumping is also collapsing land, affecting everyone. The question is, does the government have the right to regulate groundwater pumping? The groundwater is, after all, on private property. I believe that they do, since groundwater is a nonrenewable and easily exploitable resource. Private landowners fail to understand Tragedy of the Commons and that groundwater is a community resource. Without intervention, groundwater will be used up and land will sink severely.