Working party report on irrigation

Methods of exploiting water resources include rainfall harvesting as an irrigation technique, the use of membranes in sub-surface dams, and methods for reducing evaporation from open water surfaces. It should be emphasized that there is no point in trying to conserve water resources if the resources are not better used by agriculturalists and engineers.

With regard to the choice of crops, attention is drawn to the incidence of siltation which can inhibit the success of sub-surface dams.

It is generally agreed that waste water is a usable and useful resource, but appropriate standards are needed in planning and designing for the use of waste water, and there should be strict control on health grounds. The types of crop to be grown should be controlled: in many countries waste water is not allowed to be used on vegetables.