Over irrigating?

Over irrigating?
Originally uploaded by gaikokujinkyofusho.

Here was an irrigation ditch (which I was assured was clean and pure enough to drink, by a Afghan doctor that was with us [this was the first assurance of many; these assurances quickly reduced what little faith I had in his medical ability]).

The reason I took this photo was #1 the surface irrigation used (which I *really* think afghans need to get away from [though admittedly alternate forms of irrigation are usually more expensive and more difficult to implement] since Afghanistan is *very* dry) #2 The scallions (I didnt taste them but I smelled it and it looks like scallions) that were practically being drowned. I am not a horticulture person I dont think scallions require constant water (I actually sank when I tried to walk into the field, reminiscent of rice paddies).

I supposed my point was to show how poorly water is used (wasted) here, I believe in another post I mentioned how, when I worked at a computer lab in college, students totally wasted paper (which was initially free) when printing it made me cringe at how blatantly wasteful people could be. The lab finally got fed up and started charging and whatyaknow the rate of paper usage was reduced by 3/4th in a week! I think the same is here, at places where there is a source of water people consistently waste water and I sincerely fear for the future of Afghanistans water tables.