The Ogallala aquifer is the freshwater underground basin which replenishes the dryer US states in Middle America.

It appears that already the underground water is near to the end of its life, leaving uncertainty on whether there will be enough water to irrigate the US for the rest of the summer season.

The earth’s continents all contain and rely on an aquifer. By the beginning of the 21^st century, 1/3 of the entire world relied upon aquifers for their drinking water and farming.

For the last 60 years, the Ogallala has been pumping out water faster than rain and snow can soak into the ground to refill it. Even though rain was unusually heavy in the US in 2015 (50 – 100% above average), the water levels in the wells have still dropped.

Large basins in Africa, Asia and the Middle East are also declining rapidly and many of them, like the Ogallala, have limited ability for revival, noting that once their water is completely drained, it can take thousands of years for the aquifer's to replenish themselves.

As the wells continue to decrease, US farmers are now looking into other ways of managing their crops, one of which being wind turbines. For those who either are unable or limited in watering their land, the inexhaustible resource of wind turbines has become a salvation.

It is estimated that parts of the Ogallala can preserve for another century however the heart of the aquifer is what is at the highest risk of becoming depleted.

While researchers are looking into ways of how to keep the Ogallala healthy, we all have the responsibility to play an active role in the longevity and health of our planet.

Green Motion car rental takes its water usage seriously, with many of our franchised car hire locations using waterless or steam cleaning technologies to clean their fleet and actively cutting down on their water wastage.

To make a car hire booking in the USA (Miami, FL and San Diego, CA) with Green Motion, please visit greenmotion.com or call +44 (0) 2071864000.