Pesticide contamination of surface and groundwater resources can occur through spills, improper storage, and application and disposal practices. Intensive agriculture in areas of high soil permeability and high water tables, may cause groundwater contamination from the percolation of chemicals and nutrients through the soil profile. Surface water contamination can also occur through soil erosion and runoff. Irrigation, a common activity in some regions of the country, may also lead to water quality problems. Improper irrigation practices may degrade soil structure and compound many of the water quality issues associated with agriculture.
Several provinces have programs to reduce the environmental risk associated with irrigation.
Water availability is becoming an environmental challenge. Growing demand for water by all sectors of the economy will lead to greater competition for this scarce resource. For the sector, this competition will be particularly acute in regions where agricultural water use is seen as a low priority relative to other uses. In some regions, irrigation has become a major water user. Limitations have already been placed on water availability for irrigation in Alberta.