Final answer:
The true/false statement that eliminating ground water overdraft doesn't require halting all groundwater pumping is true. It calls for sustainable practices like reducing extraction rates to natural recharge levels and employing artificial recharge methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true; eliminating ground water overdraft does not require that all pumping from the ground water stop. Overdraft occurs when groundwater is extracted from an aquifer at a faster rate than it is replenished. To address groundwater overdraft, sustainable water management practices must be employed. This can include measures such as reducing the amount of water pumped to a level that allows natural recharge to balance the extraction rates. Additionally, artificial recharge techniques, like aquifer recharge and water conservation strategies, can be utilized to increase the rate at which aquifers are being replenished.
Efforts to increase the efficiency of water use in agriculture and other industries can also help mitigate the impacts of groundwater mining. This can be done through improved irrigation techniques, use of reclaimed water, and better planning to ensure a balance between water use and water availability. It is crucial to maintain a balance where the withdrawal of groundwater does not exceed its natural replenishment rates to prevent environmental consequences such as subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and the depletion of interconnected surface water bodies.