Adelaide November 24, 2002
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An Adelaide company is involved in a host of research trials throughout Australia in a bid to prove the structure of saline, treated or bore water can be changed. Predicting the technology has the potential to be "the next Microsoft of the water industry", Hydrosmart International Director Paul Pearce says horticulturalists, wine grape growers and market gardeners are already singing the technology's praises. "A Virginia vineyard owner said the last time he saw the bottom of his dam was when he first filled it, until he installed a Hydrosmart on his irrigation system," he said. Mr Pearce first brought the Hydromsart technology to Adelaide about four years ago. The device consists of a computer that generates highly specific frequencies that break down mineral crystals into tiny particles. This in turn makes it easier for plants to absorb vital nutrients. The technology was originally |
developed to prevent chemicals and minerals in water reacting with each other, thus preventing severe corrosion problems at high temperatures, Mr Pearce said. It has since proven to help remove calcium scale from surfaces in contact with the treated water. "Because hard water is due to high concentrations of large mineral crystals, and the resonance frequencies cause them to break down into sub-four micron particles, we automatically produce soft water," Mr Pearce said. "The dissolved particles are then too small to block up filters, drip feeders or fabric weaves." Independent researches describe as "promising" the results from two years of testing at the South Australian Research and Development Institute's test vineyard at Nuriootpa. "We've been investigating the performance and change in soil salinity and the performance of the vines through growth, yield and grape juice," PIRSA senior research officer in viticulture John Crocker said. |
Since installing a Hydrosmart unit to the property's bore water system, Greta Ozzella said the build-up of salt in the soil was no longer apparent. "It doesn't leave as much salty residue and the dripper lines themselves need nowhere near the amount of cleaning as before." Greta and husband Rino expect to harvest their crop in March or April. |
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