Agricultural water use in ontario

Abstract

Agricultural water use is an important component of total water use in Ontario. While the amount of water withdrawn for agricultural use is considerably lower than for municipalities and thermal power generation, agricultural water consumption is exceeded only by consumption in the municipal and manufacturing sectors. Using 1996 Census of Agriculture data, this paper updates the estimates of agricultural water use created for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food by Ecologistics Limited in 1993. In 1996, all agricultural sectors in Ontario were estimated to use 173.2 million m3. Spatial patterns of water use for southern Ontario, where most agriculture occurs, are mapped for water use for all sectors; for five major subcategories: livestock, fruit, vegetable, field and speciality crops; and for irrigation. Significant variation occurs: e.g., most agricultural water use is concentrated in the southwestern region where water demand from municipalities, golf courses, and other water users is high. Future water allocation decisions must take account of the distribution of agricultural water withdrawals, especially those for irrigation, which are strongly seasonal. © 2001 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.