  
Aquifers are underground "water tanks." Nature put them deep into porous, underground rock cavities over thousands of years of water seepage.
According to The US Geological Survey, "An aquifer can be compared to a bank account," and water is the money in that account. Water levels can be re-deposited, or "recharged," by seepage from rain, surface water, or applied irrigation. In the past, aquifer water was kept in storage underground until it was discharged naturally into streams, springs, plants, etc. In the past, aquifers enjoyed a complete and balanced natural cycle; a full circle system of drain and gain, payout and replenishment.
In the past (before The Civil War), an aquifer system would remain in longterm equilibrium for thousands of years, and "discharge" (or "payment") was equal to recharge, meaning the volume of water in storage remained relatively constant throughout the ages. Up until the development of modern cities, suburbs, and farming, there had never been another animal to over-pump these deep, natural water tanks. Water levels did fluctuate in aquifers, but over a relatively small, natural range. However, once pumping began (in the early 20th century) this equilibrium has changed -- and groundwater levels are now in dangerous decline.
Just as a bank account must be balanced, withdrawals from an aquifer must be balanced. If you take out too much you're gonna go straight into the red, right?
What's the best way to balance an aquifer? ... Take out less. Take out an appropriate amount of water, so that the natural system has enough time to recharge. How do we take out less? ... Efficiency.
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