In extreme cases, subsidence or land surface collapse can result from too many wells on too little recharge. This is a problem in the American West, where irrigation and too many people in arid areas threaten the springs which drew them to the region in the first place. Austin and San Antonio, Texas atop the Edwards Acquifer are examples of this sort of misuse. Although springs and wells occasionally go dry in the Ozarks, lack of water is not our major concern. Issues of groundwater pollution and the improper use of land in the recharge area of springs without regard for the consequences are more of a problem here.
Much education remains to be done.
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