The soil's texture and structure may be damaged by excessive irrigation or the use of heavy tillage machines on wet ground. Soil erosion (washing away of soil) is prevented by careful application of water on sloping ground.

Irrigation water should be free of minerals that injure plants. If the water contains large amounts of soda compounds, for example, Doug Sokell/Visuals Unlimited the soil will become strongly alkaline and crops will not grow. Ground that is too alkaline or saline (containing excessive amounts of soluble salts) may have to be leached. This is a process of dissolving and flushing away harmful minerals by sending large amounts of pure water through the soil.

Irrigation may cause the water table to rise too near the surface. Waterlogged soil has many disadvantages for the farmer. Provisions for drainage, therefore, are essential to a well-planned irrigation system.