Irrigation water
Water use for irrigation Agriculture is by far the largest water use at global level. Irrigation of agricultural lands accounted for 70% of the water used worldwide. In several developing countries, irrigation represents up to 95% of all water uses, and plays a major role in food production and food security. Future agricultural development strategies of most of these countries depend on the possibility to maintain, improve and expand irrigated agriculture On the other hand, the increasing pressure on water resources by agriculture faces competition from other water use sectors and represents a threat to the environment. Water is a resource that may create tensions among countries down and upstream. Irrigated agriculture is driving much of the competition since it accounts for 70-90% of water use in may of these regions.
Source: Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan figures from David R. Smith "Climate Change, Water Supply, and Conflict in the Aral Sea Basin", paper presented at the "Pri-Aral Workshop 1994", San Diego State University, March 1994: Others from Peter H. Gleick, Water in Crisis (NY, Oxford University Press, 1993) Within the European Union (EU) agriculture represents around 30% of total water abstraction. The intensity of irrigation in different countries obviously varies depending on the climate, the crops cultivated and the farming methods. For example, the role of irrigation is completely different in Southern European countries, where irrigation is essential for agricultural production, compared to Central and Western Europe. Water resources for irrigation Water used for agriculture comes from natural or other alternative sources. Natural sources includes rainwater and surface water (lakes and rivers). These resources must be used in a sustainable way. Alternative sources of irrigation water are the reuse of municipal wastewater and drainage water. However the use of recycled water for irrigation may have some adverse impacts on the public health and the environment. This will depend on the recycled water application, soil characteristics, climate conditions and agronomic practises. Therefore it is important that all these factors are taken into account in the management of recycled water. Lets study this a little bit further. Reuse of water for irrigation The water quality used for irrigation is essential for the yield and quantity of crops, maintenance of soil productivity, and protection of the environment. For example, the physical and mechanical properties of the soil, ex. soil structure (stability of aggregates) and permeability, are very sensitive to the type of exchangeable ions present in irrigation waters. Check irrigation water quality Related pages: Bicarbonate hazard of irrigation water SAR hazard of irrigation water Toxic ions hazard of irrigation water
Click here for definitions concerning groundwater, or to learn more about its properties, its origin and quantities, its sources in Europe. |
About Lenntech
Lenntech BV
Rotterdamseweg 402 M
2629 HH Delft
tel: +31 152 610 900
fax: +31 152 616 289
e-mail: info@lenntech.com
Copyright © 1998-2016 Lenntech B.V. All rights reserved