The results of research on the development of less water-intensive rice irrigation technology with periodic irrigation, allowing to reduce the cost of irrigation water in 3-5 times are presented. This irrigation technology solves a number of environmental problems associated with the formation of water deficit in the sources of irrigation, the water table rise, salinization, waterlogging, acidification and utilization of polluted waste and drainage water. During the development of water-saving technologies of rice irrigation special attention is paid to the development of high crops and systems of plant protection from weeds. The article provides recommendations for maintaining a less intensive water regime of soil with a humidity not lower than 80% HB from sowing to the end of the tillering stage in a layer of 0.4 m with a subsequent increase to 0.6 m, from wax to full ripeness of grain not lower than 70% HB. The combination of such water regime with fertilizer rate N109P62K75 provides a rice yield of 5.0 t/ha, a rate of N131P74K90 – 6.0 t/ha and a rate of N157P90K108 – 7.0 t/ha.