A review of developing country experience in using irrigation water for domestic and other nonagricultural purposes prefaces this study of the feasibility of designing multipurpose irrigation systems. Technical and cultural factors affecting feasibility are addressed, and multipurpose systems in various countries are cited to exemplify some of the principles governing system design. Outstanding issues include the paucity of research on design alternatives, system cost-effectiveness, the maintenance of water quality standards, the continuing emphasis on crop production at the irrigation system design stage, rivalry among host government departments and among donors over "turf," and disputes over water rights. Implementing a policy to incorporate non-irrigation uses into irrigation systems will require adding experts in these uses to the design team and shifting from a no-risk to an incremental improvement approach to planning. Recommendations are to conduct action research in several countries on the key issues, develop a methodology to assess community needs that could be met by an irrigation system, conduct a pilot project in designing a multipurpose system, and sensitize donors to the importance of the issue.