What best describes overdraft in terms of water supply?

Overdraft refers specifically to the situation where groundwater is extracted from aquifers at a rate that exceeds the natural replenishment or recharge rate of that water system. This is a significant concern in Arizona, where many areas rely heavily on groundwater for agricultural, domestic, and industrial use. When groundwater is pumped out faster than it can be naturally replenished by precipitation and other sources, it leads to a depletion of the aquifer, which can cause various problems such as reduced water quality, land subsidence, and ecological impacts.

The other options touch on various aspects of water management but do not accurately describe the concept of overdraft. Storing more water than an area can naturally recharge pertains more to surface water management rather than the specific issue of groundwater overdraft. Improper usage of water in urban development pertains to wastefulness or inefficiency in water use rather than the balance of extraction and recharge. Lastly, water conservation practices relate to efforts aimed at reducing water use but do not directly address the imbalance between groundwater extraction and replenishment that overdraft represents.