Summary

Sustainable Irrigation 2010 is the third conference in this series, following the success of the meetings enjoyed in Bologna (2006) and Alicante (2008). As the standard of living of a large section of the world's population continues to increase, the strategic importance of fresh water resources also rises. It is essential to seek ways of achieving the most efficient and equitable use of these resources at the same time as making their use sustainable. Even in those countries where fresh water is currently easily available, over-exploitation is leading to damaging long lasting environmental effects, such as the lowering of water tables or depletion of river flows. Adding to these effects, the problem of contamination effectively reduces the availability of clean water. Water is essential for irrigation purposes, but its indiscriminate use can lead not only to shortages, but also to the deterioration of crop yields and soils. It is hence vital to ensure that it is applied as effectively as possible in order to reach sustainability.