Irrigation, domestic water supply and human health

Abstract

This paper presents examples of the close interactions, intended or unintended, between the various uses and users of irrigation water. The main focus is on the close link between water used for crop production in irrigated agriculture and water used by humans for drinking and other domestic purposes, a link that has largely been ignored by policy makers, governments, donors, international organizations, and the research community. In addition, a number of reasons are given as to why, from a public health point of view, an exclusive focus on water quality issues is a mistake and why more attention needs to be paid to the availability of sufficient quantities of water for domestic use than at present. The main argument that will be advanced is that significant health opportunities are missed due to the sectoral thinking of professionals and institutions involved in managing water. Several issues are expected to become very important in the twenty-first century and reflect the close linkages between water for food and water for people. These include the overexploitation of groundwater resources for irrigation, newly emerging groundwater quality problems, and increased recycling of water.