| Water treatment processes - diverse, multi-faceted and often highly experimental - are hotbeds of ingenuity and inventiveness. Hydrosmart, based in Adelaide, is one company that has adopted a truly "cutting edge" approach to the problem of water purification. The core Hydrosmart technology involves electronic resonance, and results have thrilled users in parts of Australia where bore and recycled water have been highly problematic.  D'arenberg Wines have benefited from Hydrosmart technology The Hydrosmart process involves the use of digitally-generated frequencies (produced by a computer chip), which are applied by means of a set of three antennae coils wound around the outside of the water pipe. Frequencies break down compound salts into miniscule particles and, in some cases, into their component parts, preventing the development of large crystals that are implicated in some of the problems associated with salinity. A single Hydrosmart unit can be affixed to any pipe up to 80 mm in diameter regardless of flow rates, and running costs after installation are just $10 per annum. Separate units should be installed to treat each self-contained water source. |
By "softening" water and reducing heavy mineralization, the technology has been effective not only in reducing salinity, but also in removing scale and iron deposits from pipes and preventing algae formation. According to John Maxwell Johnson from Hydrosmart, the system breaks down "all the crystals in the irrigation water to sub-four-micron particles, which automatically cuts out the bicarbonates, chlorides and oxides from the equation. "The simplified sub-four-micron mineral particles are small enough to penetrate even the most heavily compacted soil and will get to work on the large crystals in the soil and release their hold on the micro-nutrients they have been attracting, releasing them for better plant growth. As calcium bicarbonate, for instance, breaks down, calcium becomes available to the plant in a tiny particle form which the plants can readily absorb. This in turn facilitates the uptake of potassium for healthy cell growth, and magnesium for the chlorophyll which drives photosynthesis." 
Hydrosmart technology has been effective in reducing salinity and algae problems |
Developed in Europe, the technology depends on advanced particle physics - and the full theoretical explanations of the process remain a mystery to most scientific boffins. But what is not disputed is the success of the treatment in the field. Since Hydrosmart's establishment six years ago, clients from regions with poor water quality have enjoyed greatly improved agricultural production and plant growth. More than 40 vineyards, for example, are using Hydrosmart systems. Clients include d'Arenberg, Geoff Hardy, Haans, Pikes and Grant Burge. In addition, Goyder Council - Burra (Flinders Ranges, SA), Onkaparinga Council and Clare Council, also in SA, use the resonance treatment on treated effluent to successfully overcome salinity and algae troubles. The Mercure Hotel in Broome, WA, uses Hydrosmart's resonance frequencies to successfully irrigate its gardens, lawns and nursery despite prevailing sodium chloride levels of up to 3,200 ppm (this water was previously killing its gardens and lawn areas). "The ability to solve previously unsolvable problems without filters, membranes or the need of any chemical additives is exciting," says Paul Pearce, director of Hydrosmart. "And successful results have led to wide industry acceptance despite seeming State and Federal Government indifference over the last several years. "Now results are speaking louder than words; it is as if we are switching the salt off! 'Miracles' are possible for Australian salinity problems." For more information visit www.hydrosmart.com.au |