Groundwater Pumping Statistics 2026: 48 Facts & Data
U.S. Groundwater Pumping Overview
Source: USGS Water Use in the United States
Groundwater Use by Sector
| Sector | Withdrawal (MGD) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation (Agriculture) | 57,400 | 70% |
| Public Supply | 15,600 | 19% |
| Self-Supplied Domestic | 3,280 | 4% |
| Industrial | 2,870 | 3.5% |
| Livestock | 1,640 | 2% |
| Mining | 820 | 1% |
| Thermoelectric | 410 | 0.5% |
Key Pumping Statistics
- Over 50 billion gallons/day pumped for agricultural irrigation
- 26% of total U.S. freshwater comes from groundwater
- 44% of public water supply sourced from groundwater
- Nearly 100% of rural domestic water from wells
- 85.8 million acre-feet/year total groundwater extraction
- 40% of U.S. irrigated farmland uses groundwater
Groundwater Use by State
Top 10 States by Groundwater Withdrawal
| Rank | State | MGD | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 14,200 | Irrigation |
| 2 | Texas | 9,800 | Irrigation |
| 3 | Arkansas | 6,200 | Irrigation (Rice) |
| 4 | Nebraska | 5,900 | Irrigation |
| 5 | Kansas | 3,400 | Irrigation |
| 6 | Idaho | 3,200 | Irrigation |
| 7 | Arizona | 3,000 | Irrigation |
| 8 | Florida | 2,800 | Public Supply |
| 9 | Mississippi | 2,500 | Irrigation |
| 10 | Colorado | 2,100 | Irrigation |
Pumping Costs
Source: USDA NASS Irrigation Survey 2023
Pumping Cost Factors
| Factor | Cost Impact |
|---|---|
| Domestic (shallow well) | $0.08-0.15 per 1,000 gal |
| Domestic (deep well) | $0.15-0.30 per 1,000 gal |
| Agricultural (per acre-foot) | $25-85 |
| Energy cost (electricity) | $0.10-0.25/kWh |
| Energy cost (diesel) | $3.50-4.50/gallon |
Pumping Energy Statistics
- $3.3 billion spent annually on pumping energy (agriculture)
- $3 billion spent on irrigation equipment in 2023
- Average lift: 150 feet (U.S. agricultural wells)
- Deep well (300+ ft): 2-3x energy cost of shallow wells
- VFD efficiency gains: 20-50% energy savings
Groundwater Depletion
Source: USGS Groundwater Depletion Studies
Major Aquifer Depletion
| Aquifer | Depletion Since 1950 | Status |
|---|---|---|
| High Plains (Ogallala) | ~330 km³ | Critical overdraft |
| Central Valley, CA | ~150 km³ | Critically overdrafted |
| Mississippi Embayment | ~70 km³ | Declining |
| Atlantic Coastal Plain | ~50 km³ | Moderate decline |
Overdraft Statistics
- 21 basins designated critically overdrafted in California
- 30% of Ogallala Aquifer depleted since irrigation began
- 2-3 feet/year water table decline in parts of Kansas
- Land subsidence: Up to 28 feet in California's Central Valley
Agricultural Irrigation Pumping
Irrigation Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total irrigated acres (US) | 58 million |
| Acres using groundwater | 23 million (40%) |
| Irrigation wells | ~480,000 |
| Avg groundwater pumped per acre | 1.8 acre-feet |
| Total irrigation withdrawal | 57.4 BGD |
We service all major pump brands including Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds (Xylem), and Sta-Rite (Pentair). Our trucks carry common parts and components for same-day repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much groundwater is pumped in the US?
The U.S. pumps approximately 82 billion gallons per day (about 92 million acre-feet per year) for all uses.
What percentage of water comes from groundwater?
Groundwater provides 26% of total U.S. freshwater and 44% of public water supply.
What uses the most groundwater?
Agriculture accounts for 70% of groundwater withdrawals (over 50 billion gallons per day) for irrigation.
How much does pumping cost?
Domestic pumping costs $0.10-0.30 per 1,000 gallons. Agricultural pumping costs $3.3 billion annually in energy.
Is groundwater being overused?
Yes, groundwater storage has declined by approximately 1,000 cubic kilometers (270 trillion gallons) since 1950.
Need Well Pump Service?
Southern California Well Service provides pump installation, repair, and efficiency upgrades in San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Call us: (760) 440-8520
Related Articles
Continue learning about well maintenance and troubleshooting
