By Shin Thant Hlaing, Political Science Major, Mentor Eric Lindsey.
Aquifers in Estancia, New Mexico are being used up faster than they are being replenished. The depletion of aquifers can be measured through land subsidence (sinking) and well water levels in the area. Between 2014 and 2023, the region has seen substantial land subsidence, with some land areas sinking by 7 mm per year. The most obvious consequence of depleting aquifers is that it makes it more difficult to access water. There were places where water used to be found less than 50 ft below ground in 1952. Now accessing water in those spots would require drilling wells up to 150 ft deep. This may also result in water scarcity, because extended periods of aquifer depletion may reduce the aquifer’s future storage capacity. This is particularly consequential because Estancia is estimated to only have 100 years’ worth of freshwater reserves and is part of an agricultural region that is heavily reliant on groundwater for irrigation. Additionally, land subsidence and aquifer depletion are closely related to other geologic disasters, such as drought. Changes in surface geography can also lead to infrastructure damage, potentially affecting roads and historical sites. Some potential solutions Estancia residents can implement are to reduce water usage, mix groundwater use with surface water use, consider transitioning away from water intensive crops, and utilize water efficient farming methods like intercropping. Some governance related solutions are to implement regular monitoring of groundwater levels, enforcing minimum groundwater levels, implementing tax incentive programs, and holding workshops on existing federal tax credits for sustainable farming. The project is going to be a diorama displaying layers of rock, sand, clay and slit wrapping around spongy aquifers, to visually communicate the importance of mitigating groundwater use. It will be displayed alongside printed information on possible solutions to aquifer depletion in Estancia.