InSAR Ground Deformation and Pumping Energy Consumption Reveal Urban Water Security

Abstract

Abstract Water resource assessments are critical for ensuring water security (WS), particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions with increasing water demand and limited water monitoring capabilities. Earth observations and indirect indicators of surface and groundwater changes are valuable tools for developing such assessments. This study examines WS by combining trends in pumping energy consumption and water‐induced ground deformation over time and space in the sprawling metropolitan region of Cochabamba, Bolivia. We integrate Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar data with pumping energy consumption records from an extensive well network in the period 2012 to 2022. Statistical analysis identifies four trends in energy consumption (increasing, decreasing, stable, and no consumption) and three in ground deformation (uplift, subsidence, and no change). Based on these trends, we define four WS scenarios: WS, Threatened Water Security, water insecurity (WI), and Reversible Water Insecurity. Results reveal predominant domestic groundwater use and an increasing trend in energy consumption by pumping. In more than 1000 of these wells, both unsustainable water use and subsidence occur, implying WI. This study demonstrates the potential of combining InSAR‐derived ground deformation and pumping energy consumption as a cost‐effective and scalable groundwater monitoring tool for WS assessments.