An innovative, proprietary powder-based solution developed in the US by environmental technology company Flexible Solutions International, may be the answer to major drought problems that are being experienced globally.

The powder, comprised of 90% hydrated lime and 10% cetyl and steryl alcohol (commonly used in sunscreen, first aid cream and lipstick), can be applied to any large body of water via an automated spreader or from a small boat. Once spread, the powder forms a thin film on the surface of the water and automatically spreads. This film, which and has no negative effect on the environment, is completely biodegradable and disappears after 48 hours to 72 hours, will limit the amount of water lost due to evaporation.

The need for urgent water conservation has been significantly highlighted in various countries over the past few years, including in South Africa, which is still reeling under severe drought conditions that resulted in 8 out of 9 provinces being declared disaster areas last year and a significant decline in crop yields.

While the answer to the ongoing drought problems is to develop new infrastructure to boost the water capacity of the local water network, it takes time and does not address the immediacy of an ongoing drought. The WaterSavr powder however can be applied immediately with little to no infrastructure, costs significantly less, and can prevent 20%- 30% of water evaporation.

WaterSavr SA MD Doug Vinnicombe says, “On a 3 000 ha dam, WaterSavr can save at least 18 000 kâ„“/d from evaporation, which is equivalent to the average daily water use of about 73 000 households. Furthermore, the cost involved in saving water through the use of Watersavr is less than any of the other limited options available – which is attractive in the face of otherwise catastrophic consequences of running out of water.”

While the product must be applied regularly, Vinnicombe adds, he points out that very little of the product is needed: “As an example, a heaped teaspoon of WaterSavr is all that is needed to treat a surface area the size of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, about 1 250 m2, and this works to reduce evaporation for three days before naturally biodegrading.”

The product has been extensively tested and successfully used worldwide for over 12 years, and has been registered with a number of organisations, including the US Environmental Protection Agency, and has received an ANSI 60 certification from public health and safety organisation, the National Sanitation Foundation.

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