Groundwater - Environmental Trends in British Columbia 2002, State of Environment Reporting, Strategic Policy, Planning and Intergovernmental Relations Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Report and Publications

Resources and Links

Updated Indicator Data

About SOE Reporting

Air Quality

Health & Environment

Surface Water Quality

Groundwater

•	Percentage of observation wells that show declining water levels due primarily to human activity

•	Number of heavily used aquifers

•	Number of heavily used aquifers vulnerable to contamination

Surface Water Use

Toxic Contaminants

Chemicals in Wildlife

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

State of Environment Reporting

Groundwater in British Columbia

Percentage of Observation Wells that Show Declining Water Levels Due Primarily to Human Activity

SOURCE: Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2001.

The percentage of observation wells with declining water levels due primarily to human activities increased from 10% in 1965-1970 to 14% in 1995-2000. Declining water levels related to human activities are mostly a result of intensive local groundwater pumping for industry, agriculture and municipal water supplies and, in urbanized areas, decreased recharge due to impervious surfaces.