Coliban Water Evaporation Reduction Trial Using WaterSavr. Case Study. April 2006

Transcription

1 Coliban Water Evaporation Reduction Trial Using WaterSavr Case Study April 2006

2 Introduction Evaporation losses from water reservoirs in Australia can potentially be quite large. It has been estimated by Coliban Water that up to 40% (to be confirmed) of their storage volume can be lost each year to evaporation. Methods on how to reduce the water lost to evaporation have therefore been explored and, in early 2006, a one-month performance evaluation of a monolayer product called WaterSavr was conducted on the Korong Vale Reservoirs. This case study is the collaboration of the following four parties: 1. Coliban Water Coliban Water manages, maintains and operates over 50 reservoirs and water storage basins across North-Central Victoria. The most notable of these storages are the Upper Coliban, Lauriston and historic Malmsbury Reservoirs - which together comprise the major catchments supplying the Coliban System of Waterworks. This system supplies water to the majority of urban customers living in Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton - as well as many smaller centres such as Harcourt, Maldon, Chewton, Tylden, Newstead, Fryerstown, Elphinstone, Taradale, Malmsbury and Guildford.

3 2. State Government of Victoria, Australia Department of Human Services The Department of Human Services is committed to ensuring that all Victorians have access to quality services that protect and enhance the community's physical, mental and social well-being. 3. Flexible Solutions International (FSI) FSI is an environmental technology company involved in research, development and manufacturing of products that save water and energy. The original research into the spreading of monolayer films led to products able to conserve up to 45% of water loss from open water storage and transport systems. All FSI products are safe, organic and biodegrade quickly into harmless byproducts. 4. Nylex Water Nylex Limited is a major Australian manufacturer with operations covering consumer and industrial products. Nylex s past success is a result of high quality products, unique design features and renowned reliability. The establishment of Nylex Water Solutions provides the most comprehensive, practical and useful range of water conservation products in Australia. Through vision, leadership and an intense desire to develop solution businesses Nylex will make a valuable contribution to Australia s future.

4 Location of the trial The Korong Vale WaterSavr trial was unique in its nature because it provided the research team with two equivalent 4 hectare reservoirs side by side (see map below). Thus, just like an evaporation pan test, the research team was able to ensure that both the trial and control reservoirs had the same variable condition that creates evaporation: sunlight, wind, and humidity. Also, since Korong Vale is located in a windy location (see appendix for wind speed) and the size of the reservoir was large enough to review the effect of wind on a monolayer. WaterSavr was truly tested for its effectiveness in windy conditions.

5 Trial Process The trial was done over a 4 week period. For the first week data was gathered for both the trial and control reservoir. No WaterSavr product was added to either reservoir. The objective of the first week of data was to ensure that the loss of water was the same for both reservoirs. Since the team knew that the climate data affecting evaporation were the same sunlight, wind, and humidity - the only differencing factor would be the seepage between the trial and control reservoirs. As seen in the results section below, the difference in seepage was 4 mm per week between the control and the trial reservoir. During the following three weeks of the trial, WaterSavr was applied on the trial reservoir at a rate of 350 grams per day / per hectare. In the case of the Korong Vale reservoir, the amount spread on a daily basis was only 1.4 kg per day. Picture of one of the reservoirs at Korong Vale

6 Equipment Used for the Trial Automated WaterSavr spreader (see attached pictures below) o The spreader is built and patented in Australia and allows for up to 40 kg of WaterSavr to be spread automatically through its electronic regulator over a long period of time without human intervention o Recommend one spreader per 10 hectares of surface water area WaterSavr Automated spreader set up over the Korong Vale Reservoir

7 A close-up shot of the WaterSavr Automated Spreader WaterSavr spreading though ionic repulsion over surface of water in trial reservoir. Spreading only 350 grams per day per hectare yet resulting an average of 29% reduction and up to 50% reduction per day.

8 Trial Results Coliban Water - Korong Vale WaterSavr trial summary Week Reservoir Water Depth at end of week at trial measurement point (mm) Number Period Control Dam (raw data) Control Dam (corrected) Trial Dam (raw data) 0 Starting Value Feb to 6th March th March to 14th March th March to 20th March th March to 27th March Water loss during period % water saving over 3 weeks 29% % water saving over 2 weeks 54% KorongVale WaterSavr Trial Reservoir Height mm Trial Reservoir Control Data Time (6 hour multiples)

9 Conclusion The trial conducted on the Korong Vale reservoirs is a demonstration of how WaterSavr can successfully reduce evaporation and result in significant water savings. Based on results from various trials conducted around the world, an average water savings of 30% is expected. In this particular trial, it was demonstrated that WaterSavr was able to reduce evaporation by over 45% on some of the warmer days. Also notable is that, with the coordination of both Coliban Water and the Government of Victoria, Australia Department of Human Services, it was confirmed that the water tests done throughout the month-long trial showed absolutely no changes in water quality and therefore remained safe for drinking purposes. From a financial viewpoint, based on a $12 per kilo price of WaterSavr and the local water evaporation reduction rate, the return on investment for the local water authority would exceed 300%.