<P> For crop irrigation, optimal water efficiency means minimizing losses due to evaporation, runoff or subsurface drainage while maximizing production . An evaporation pan in combination with specific crop correction factors can be used to determine how much water is needed to satisfy plant requirements . Flood irrigation, the oldest and most common type, is often very uneven in distribution, as parts of a field may receive excess water in order to deliver sufficient quantities to other parts . Overhead irrigation, using center - pivot or lateral - moving sprinklers, has the potential for a much more equal and controlled distribution pattern . Drip irrigation is the most expensive and least - used type, but offers the ability to deliver water to plant roots with minimal losses . However, drip irrigation is increasingly affordable, especially for the home gardener and in light of rising water rates . Using drip irrigation methods can save up to 30,000 gallons of water per year when replacing irrigation systems that spray in all directions . There are also cheap effective methods similar to drip irrigation such as the use of soaking hoses that can even be submerged in the growing medium to eliminate evaporation . </P> <P> As changing irrigation systems can be a costly undertaking, conservation efforts often concentrate on maximizing the efficiency of the existing system . This may include chiseling compacted soils, creating furrow dikes to prevent runoff, and using soil moisture and rainfall sensors to optimize irrigation schedules . Usually large gains in efficiency are possible through measurement and more effective management of the existing irrigation system . The 2011 UNEP Green Economy Report notes that "(i) mproved soil organic matter from the use of green manures, mulching, and recycling of crop residues and animal manure increases the water holding capacity of soils and their ability to absorb water during torrential rains", which is a way to optimize the use of rainfall and irrigation during dry periods in the season . </P> <P> Water shortage has become an increasingly difficult problem to manage . More than 40% of the world's population live in a region where the demand for water exceeds its supply . The imbalance between supply and demand, along with persisting issues such as climate change and exponential population growth, has made water reuse a necessary method for conserving water . There are a variety of methods used in the treatment of waste water to ensure that it is safe to use for irrigation of food crops and / or drinking water . </P> <P> Seawater desalination requires more energy than the desalination of fresh water . Despite this, many seawater desalination plants have been built in response to water shortages around the world . This makes it necessary to evaluate the impacts of seawater desalination and to find ways to improve desalination technology . Current research involves the use of experiments to determine the most effective and least energy intensive methods of desalination . </P>

Design a project for the creation of awareness about the conservation of water in your area