As a result, more fresh water is stored in the soil which benefits

agriculture. However, since agriculture is the human activity that consumes the most fresh
water,[17] this can put a severe strain on local freshwater resources resulting in the destruction of local
ecosystems.
In Australia, over-abstraction of fresh water for intensive irrigation activities has caused 33% of the
land area to be at risk of salination.[17] With regards to agriculture, the World Bank targets food
production and water management as an increasingly global issue that will foster debate.[18]

Examples[edit]
One in eight people in the world do not having access to safe water[19]Innapropriate use of water may
contribute to this problem. The following tables provide some indicators of water use.
Table 1 Recommended basic water requirements for human needs (per person) [20]