Higher Pumping Costs

As groundwater levels drop, irrigators are forced to drill deeper wells in order to access the water they require. Greater depth increases construction and maintenance costs of wells. In addition, larger pumps which draw more electricity are needed to raise the water. Several million acres in the High Plains Aquifer region have already been taken out of production as pumping costs have surpassed the value of the food grown with the water. (Frederick, 1995).