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Hydrosmart keeps water flowing and plants growing by Peter Brady |
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An increasing number of winery and vineyard managers are putting their faith in a technology they believe can dramatically alter the structure of saline water. But while extensive trials have been undertaken to deliver final efficacy of the chemical-free system, mainstream scientific institutions continue labelling it 'unproven'. Government authorities sanction tank cleaning using caustic soda and citric acid, leaving wineries with toxic effluent ponds, expensive treatment problems or high disposal costs. Likewise, traditional salt-based softeners risk wastewater finding its way back into the water table. Technical director of Hydrosmart John Johnson says the computer system developed by his company breaks down minerals such as salt and other pollutants into their constituent parts, rendering them harmless. "Without their bonding ability, large crystals become unstable and revert to tiny sub 4 micron particles, too small for algae and fungi to form on and small enough to pass through drippers and sprays," he said. "Independent research has shown the unique combination of resonance frequencies and particle size has led to significant growing benefits and a corresponding reduction in a wide range of growing problems." In vineyards, the treatment prevents buildup of mineral crystals and scale. Resonance frequencies remain active in the treated flow, progressively breaking down any existing scale and bio film in drip irrigation systems. The company's co-managing director Paul Pearce says Hydrosmart has consistently shown an ability to grow healthy plants in high salinity water (3,600-9,000 ppm). |
 He says Australian Research and Development Institute trials at Nuriootpa on vine growth, yield and juice extraction in saline conditions is promising. "The significance of improved baume levels and lower juice chloride levels will not be lost on winemakers, but the big issue facing wineries is how to treat and safely dispose of the effluent from winemaking and in particular the tank cleaning process," Paul said. Both Hydrosmart principals, who have called for an independent scientific appraisal of the technology, also believe the technology could have a much wider application. They say it's ability for breaking down salt and turning it into tiny non-reactive particles could have a huge impact if applied to problems in the River Murray. Hydrosmart systems cost between $2500 and $24,000, including GST. The most expensive system costs about $30 a year to run.
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