Clean groundwater supplies, even in the southwest Ohio’s productive buried valley aquifer, are not unlimited. If these supplies are depleted, it may take hundreds or thousands of years to replenish. This is why groundwater quantity protection plans need to be implemented before problems occur.

Water conservation is an important part of protecting groundwater supplies. Individual water conservation efforts, like limiting lawn watering and car washing, are very important even when there is no legal requirement to do so. Individual conservation efforts make a big difference when everyone’s efforts are added together. It is also important for communities to work together to avoid harmful lowering of the water table and recharge reduction.

ODNR's Overview of Water Withdrawal Rights

Ohio Water Laws

Water Planning Links

Conservation/Water Related Links

Over-pumping
Over-pumping can occur when many water users close to each other withdraw large amounts of groundwater simultaneously. The drawdown, or lowering of the water table, caused by any one pumper is usually small, but the cumulative effect of many pumpers can deplete the water sources.

There are also many instances where it is appropriate or necessary to intentionally lower the water table. Examples include dewatering (removing water from) a gravel pit for mining or a construction site for building, continuous pumping to lower the water table so the basement of a building does not flood, or keeping groundwater from coming in contact with landfills or other contaminated soils.

Excessive pumping can contribute to groundwater mining. Before large amounts of groundwater are withdrawn for any reason, careful studies and planning are needed to prevent over-pumping or to minimize adverse effects. Ideally, hydrogeologic studies would be completed to estimate the impacts to the groundwater level before pumping is initiated.

Reduced Recharge
Since all aquifers need to be recharged to replenish their water supplies, limiting the amount of water an aquifer receives during the recharge (replenish) process is a serious problem. Sometimes geologic features such as thick clay on the surface can limit the amount of precipitation that reaches the aquifer. Man-made examples occur when agricultural or open land is converted to buildings, streets and parking lots. Pavement and concrete effectively seal off the ground surface, blocking precipitation from reaching the aquifer. Some communities, such as the Village of Indian Hill, Ohio, have ordinances or laws that limit the amount of pavement or concrete (called impervious surfaces) within a lot or parcel of land. As urban areas—and impervious surfaces—grow, it’s important to remember that we are reducing the amount of land available to recharge our aquifers.