Rising water table

Rising level of underground water
High groundwater levels
Waterlogging of land

Nature

The amount of water leaving the soil must be at least equal to the amount entering it. The water should not be allowed to accumulate, but perennial irrigation invariably raises the water table. In some areas the groundwater tables are rising at a rate of 3 to 5 metres a year. This is caused primarily by the water lost through seepage from irrigation channels or simply by overuse of irrigation water. As waterlogging sets in, so the inevitable process of salinization begins.

Background

This problem can be further aggravated by some water management practices which do not focus on water distribution and flow. Waterlogging can become a particular problem as a result, especially in areas that experience extreme rainfall and drought.

Incidence

Between 1990 and 1997, the water table under the city of Milan rose 11 metres in some areas, leaving the water just four metres below the surface. In the city centre, where buildings are taller but also much deeper, the dry belt is only 10 metres. The reason for the rising water table is a huge decrease in the use of water, due to the closing of the city plants of some large industrial firms and a sharp fall in population. Some 11,000 underground parking spaces have become unusable because of flooding and damp caused by the rising water table. Cellars and basements and about 10,000 residential and office buildings could be at risk. The underground railway system is also badly affected. Other cities including London, Barcelona and Paris are afflicted by the same problems, though not as seriously.

Claim

The rising water table is an urgent and dangerous problem that demands immediate attention. Ignoring it threatens our homes, infrastructure, and agricultural productivity, leading to devastating floods and soil degradation. This silent crisis undermines the very foundation of our communities and economies. We cannot afford complacency—decisive action is essential to prevent irreversible damage. The rising water table is not just an environmental issue; it is a direct threat to our way of life.

Counter-claim

The so-called “rising water table” is vastly overblown and hardly deserves our concern. In most regions, it poses no real threat to infrastructure or agriculture, and natural fluctuations are part of the earth’s cycle. Resources would be better spent addressing genuine crises like drought or pollution. Alarmism about rising water tables distracts from real environmental priorities and wastes public funds on a non-issue that barely affects daily life.