Economic Analysis of Groundwater Use Patterns and Environmental Justice Considerations

Groundwater is threatened in the Southwestern United States and worldwide. Hydrologic, economic, and environmental factors contribute to both groundwater quantity and quality outcomes. These outcomes impact those living in regions that rely primarily on groundwater to satisfy their water demand. This thesis explores two broad questions: 1) Are climate, economic, and regulatory patterns reflected in depth to water levels? 2) Do environmental burdens relating to groundwater have disproportional negative impacts on racial and ethnic minorities, low-income households, or less-educated individuals? Depth-to-water data is more widely attainable than groundwater extraction data due to political and legal factors. We find modeling factors that directly relate to groundwater extraction (planted acreage, groundwater regulation status, recharge, climate factors, etc.) does explain variation in depth to water levels over time at the sub-basin level. These results can inform groundwater policy in areas where groundwater extraction is unavailable. Additionally, racial and ethnic minorities, low-income households, and less educated individuals are found to be associated with higher environmental burden prevalence. This disproportional exposure highlights disadvantaged communities in the Colorado River Basin and adjacent service areas, suggesting that further efforts towards environmental justice throughout groundwater management decisions are needed.

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