&quot;In the mid east, and other arid regions, fossil water is being used up faster than it can replenish itself.&quot;<p>This is happening all over, even in the USA.  California&#x27;s Central Valley&#x27;s primary aquifer is so depleted that there are severe land subsidence problems even in some suburban areas.<p>CA politicians treat the aquifer like it&#x27;s a canteen that can be emptied and refilled at will.  Dry aquifers can collapse and never fully refill.