How deep must wells go in the metropolitan area and how fast is the water table dropping?

Wells in the metropolitan area run from 25 to more than 600 m deep (a Funcagua estimate cited by Agencia Ocote, Aug 6, 2024), and EMPAGUA today drills wells 'at least 1,800 feet deep' (Prensa Libre, Jul 6, 2026). In the northern part of the valley the water table is falling at an 'average rate of approximately 9 m/year': 8 m/year in Lavarreda-Rodeo, 11 in Vista Hermosa and Canalitos and 7 in the North sector, across 32 monitored wells with 4-10 years of records (a 2013 ERIS-USAC study). The operating consequence is re-drilling and higher pumping costs.