Agriculture.
Agriculture is the largest area where our water is used. In fact 73% of our water supply is used on agriculture through irrigation. To many countries, irrigation is an important factor to the economy. Irrigation provides food, jobs and wealth for the people, creating a strong trading network. Alberta for example relies heavily on irrigation to produce most of its crops, due to our dry climate.But irrigation also has its downfalls. Irrigation can be expensive! Over-irrigation can damage the soil by dissolving many unwanted salts, and transferring them to the surface. Plants cannot grow in salty soil, reducing plant growth. Irrigation can also have a negative effect on underground water supplies aswell,polluting them with unhealthy salts.
An example of what irrigation looks like.