Report: Ag Industry’s Pumping Comes at a Major Cost

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The California agriculture industry has exceeded expected expectations, facing the most severe lack of its most vital resource.

But according to the Pacific Institute, it’s come at the cost of unsustainable pumping.

The Oakland-based think tank says while reducing the present economic impacts of the drought, the groundwater overdraft has shifted the burden to others.

Future generations will be forced to dig significantly deeper wells, find alternative drinking water sources, and repair damaged infrastructure.

A report released last week shows that vast areas of the Central Valley, are sinking faster than previously thought.

The massive pumping is causing the ground to sink nearly two inches in some places.