The Groundwater Visibility Initiative: Integrating Groundwater and Surface Water Management

For most of the public, groundwater is out of sight and out of mind. Groundwater, and the boundaries that define it as a water management unit, are physically invisible to humans. Our inability to readily see groundwater contributes to groundwater’s lack of visibility in many discussions of water policy, governance, and management.

In many parts of the world, the failure to manage groundwater in an integrated, sustainable way could have severe consequences. Depleted and/or contaminated water reserves contribute to regional conflicts and create public health hazards. Subsidence causes significant damage to critical infrastructure such as roads and levees. Entire economies, based on water dependent agriculture and industry, are at risk.

In April 2016, AWRA and NGWA convened 24 water experts from across the United States and Canada in a day-long Groundwater Visibility Initiative workshop in Denver, Colorado. This seminal event sought to discuss the best way to elevate groundwater’s status in the international discourse on water policy, governance, and management by crafting recommendations for action.

The attendees tackled an agenda consisting of provocative talks by recognized experts, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. They articulated ways to better integrate groundwater into integrated water resources management and incorporate it into policies for agriculture, energy, environment, land-use planning, and urban development. This presentation will summarize the workshop findings and recommendations.