Groundwater quality vs. groundwater quantity. Combining information on irrigator concerns with past water use and cropping behavior.

Abstract

The effectiveness of groundwater in fulfilling crop water deficits depends on its quality and quantity. This paper examines the relationship between irrigators’ stated concerns over groundwater quality and groundwater quantity and their past water use and cropping decisions. Information on irrigator concerns over groundwater quality and quantity is obtained from 626 survey responses of agricultural producers in the Kansas portion of the High Plains Aquifer. We combine 20 years of field-level water use and cropping data with each of the 626 survey responses. We find that irrigators indicating elevated concern over either groundwater quality or groundwater quantity correlates with less total water use, fewer total irrigated acres, and fewer acres of irrigated corn. Additionally, concerns over groundwater quantity generally correlate with a greater reduction in water use along multiple water use margins compared to equal concerns over groundwater quality.