WHERE DO THE SALTS GO? USGS Fact Sheet 170-98. June, 1999. In the figure, is the groundwater table (blue arrows) raising staying the same falling If groundwater pumping were to cease, how long would it take, assuming current rates of irrigation, for the groundwater to reach the surface? Which is the greater potential source of salts in the soil, CAP water or Salt River Water (pink arrows)? Compare the surface-water dissolved-solid (salt) concentrations with with those of the groundwater concentrations. How much more concentrated (proportion) is the water entering the aquifer? Why? What proportion of the irrigation water is used by plants (blue, wiggly arrows)? How deep, below the surface, is the groundwater table?