Moreover, there is also evidence to show that the lack of water for agriculture is an important determinant of rural poverty and malnutrition. Other things being equal, a logical response to the anticipated increase in population and economic growth would be to expand irrigated agriculture. Yet, because of the pressures for more urban supplies and because of existing unsustainable practices in agriculture such as ground water overdraft and water supply contamination, it seems clear that acquiring additional water for agriculture will place enormous strains on aquatic ecosystems.