IrrigationFarmers depend on water for livestock and crop production. Agriculture is Canada’s largest net consumer of water, using about 70% of the water it withdraws from rivers, streams, reservoirs, and wells. Consequently, this vital sector exerts major pressures on the available water supply, particularly in the Prairie Provinces where 75% of all agricultural withdrawals occur.

Agriculture was the fourth largest water user in 2005, accounting for 9% of total withdrawals. Water is withdrawn mainly for irrigation (92.4%) and livestock watering (5.4%). Irrigation is needed mainly in the drier parts of Canada, such as the southern regions of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Irrigation is also used in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes for frost control. Since so much of the water intake evaporates, only a small fraction is returned to its source. This is a highly consumptive use.

Adapted from Environment Canada's Freshwater Website and the National Water Research Institute's report Threats to Water Availablility in Canada - A Perspective