This contribution presents an overview of the history and the present state of land drainage in Slovenia and its future prospects. Drainage of ''perched'' water in conditions of heavy clay soils is the predominant water management method for making overly wet agricultural land into cultivated fields to replace the loss of very productive agricultural fields due to intensive urbanization of the country after the Second World War. Intensive drainage was carried out for about 20 years at the end of the twentieth century, but since 1990 virtually no drainage systems have either been rebuilt or rehabilitated; nevertheless many systems have continued to function until now. After 1990, the negative and positive impacts of land drainage on water catchment areas have been issues leading to public opinion having negative effects on drainage activity. The present trend is one of decline but new approaches in land drainage (Cadastral Irrigation and Drainage Register, some ecological measures) could change general opinion and provide better prospects for drainage. The future of land drainage depends in general on Slovenia's agricultural prospects. Some of the existing drainage systems may be rebuilt and equipped with new technical facilities, which would pay more attention to the impact of tile drainage on stream-and groundwater quality.