Final answer:
The -11.3 represents the water table being 11.3 meters below the surface after it has risen by 1.2 meters due to reduced water usage after implementing new policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation provided in the question is -12.5 + 1.2 = -11.3, which describes the change in the water table over the course of a year. Originally, the water table was 12.5 meters below the surface. Over the course of the year, new policies led to a reduction in the overuse of water, and as a result, the water table rose by 1.2 meters. Therefore, at the end of the year, the water table is now at -11.3 meters below the surface. This calculation shows that the water table has risen closer to the surface, reflecting an improvement in the water table level due to the policy changes.