Irrigation water use includes water application to sustain plant growth in agricultural and horticultural practices. Irrigation also includes water that is used for pre-irrigation, frost protection, chemical application, weed control, field preparation, crop cooling, harvesting, dust suppression, and leaching salts from the root zone. Most of the time the irrigation water needs to be treated, prior to watering the fields.
The water quality used for irrigation is essential for the yield and quantity of crops, maintenance of soil productivity, and protection of the environment.