Stop Algae Blooms and Hidden Costs
Stop Algae Blooms and Hidden Costs
Introduction
Irrigation reservoirs in agriculture play a strategic role in water security. However, in addition to evaporation, they face another silent enemy: algae blooms. This problem not only affects water quality but also significantly increases maintenance, chemical, and energy costs.
The good news is that proven solutions exist today, such as floating covers, which both prevent algae blooms and reduce evaporation.
In this article, we will explore:
- Why algae form in reservoirs.
- The economic and operational impacts they generate.
- How floating covers solve this problem and provide additional benefits.
Why do algae form in water reservoirs?
Algae are organisms that require sunlight, nutrients, and stagnant water to thrive. Irrigation reservoirs meet these conditions almost perfectly.
Algal blooms in summer
When solar radiation is most intense, algae multiply explosively, causing:
- Green, cloudy water.
- Unpleasant odors.
- Clogged filters and drippers that reduce the efficiency of irrigation systems.
In irrigation reservoirs, algae lead to higher costs, labor needs, and lower system performance.
Economic impact of algae on agriculture
Many farmers underestimate this problem, but maintaining a reservoir free of algae involves significant hidden costs:
- Chemicals: algicides and chlorine cost thousands of dollars per season.
- Maintenance: constant cleaning of filters, drippers, and pumps.
- Energy: higher consumption because pumps work with lower-quality water, plus the need to replace evaporated water.
- Production risk: clogged drippers deliver less water and nutrients, reducing yield.
In short: algae blooms cost money, time, and productivity.
The solution: floating covers for irrigation reservoirs
Floating covers are modular HDPE units installed directly on the water surface. They adapt to any reservoir shape or size and are built to last for decades.
How floating covers control algae
- Block up to 98% of solar radiation → algae cannot photosynthesize.
- Reduce water temperature → microorganisms grow slower.
- Minimize entry of dust and nutrients → less organic matter to feed algae.
Additional benefits
- Reduce evaporation by more than 95%.
- Lower chemical and maintenance costs.
- Improve water quality for irrigation.
Case Study: Organic Citrus Farmer in Chile
A farmer with a 1,000 m² (10,763 ft²) irrigation pond invested heavily in labor to fight algae. After installing Covex®, he reported:
- 80% reduction in labor for filter maintenance.
- 80% reduction in labor for dripper replacements.
- Cleaner water available for high-efficiency irrigation.
The farmer noted: “The investment paid for itself in less than 1.5 years, just because of what I stopped spending on labor, materials and repairs.”
Environmental and reputational benefits
Beyond economic savings, floating covers contribute to the circular water economy:
- Less evaporation = less extraction from rivers or groundwater.
- Fewer chemicals = lower environmental impact.
- Greater efficiency = more resilience to droughts.
For farmers, this means being able to demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability, water efficiency, and reduced water footprint.
Conclusion: a clean and efficient reservoir is possible
Algae blooms in irrigation reservoirs are not inevitable. With the right technology, like Covex®, you can:
- Prevent algae proliferation.
- Reduce evaporation in irrigation reservoirs.
- Recover millions of liters of water each year.
Request a free evaporation loss calculation for your reservoir and discover how much you can save in water, chemicals, and maintenance.