Evaporation in agricultural reservoirs remains one of the major invisible losses in farming. In a country like Spain, where the number of reservoirs is estimated to exceed 75,000, stored water that has already been filtered, pumped and treated disappears precisely at times of peak demand. For José Miguel Gimeno, CEO of Evapocontrol, this is a problem that for years has been accepted as unavoidable, but one that today has a clear solution.
© Evapo-Control
"The water that reaches a reservoir is not raw water. It has already gone through all the costs of the system: abstraction, lifting, filtration and transport. It is the most expensive water, and it is exactly the water that is lost to evaporation when temperatures are highest and water is most needed," Gimeno explains.
"To address this process, Evapocontrol has developed a system of floating modules that reduces evaporation by 80% and completely eliminates algae growth. These are hexagonal pieces made of high density polyethylene, the same material used to waterproof reservoirs, which are placed directly on the water surface."
"The modules are poured in bulk. It does not matter whether the reservoir is full or empty, and the wind gradually arranges them until they cover 100% of the surface, like domino tiles."
The hexagonal design is no coincidence. This pattern is widespread in nature because it allows space to be filled efficiently using the least amount of energy and material. It appears in honeycombs, where it maximises storage with less wax, in plant and animal tissues where cells naturally pack together, in the compound eyes of many insects that optimise the visual field, and even in the crystalline structures of snowflakes.
As Gimeno explains, hexagonal geometry is the most efficient two dimensional shape for filling space without leaving gaps.
© Evapo-Control
Less evaporation, fewer algae and simple maintenance
Compared to traditional floating sheets, Evapocontrol's system offers a key advantage: maintenance.
"A sheet turns the reservoir into a sealed bag of water. Any inspection becomes a serious problem, with confined spaces, underwater work and specialized equipment. With our system, you simply move the modules aside and work as if the reservoir were uncovered."
Evaporation reduction varies depending on climate. In recent projects, Evapocontrol has measured losses of up to 3 cubic meter per square meter per year in areas such as Qatar, around 1.8 cubic meter in Seville or Murcia, and even 1.1 cubic meter in the Netherlands.
© Evapo-Control
"In countries like the Netherlands, evaporation is compounded by algae proliferation. Runoff and reused water have a high organic load, which encourages uncontrolled growth," Gimeno explains.
"With our system, by preventing light from entering the reservoir, algae cannot carry out photosynthesis or develop. By completely blocking radiation, the water remains chemically stable, without algae, without filter blockages and without problems in irrigation systems."
This is particularly relevant for hydroponic greenhouses, nurseries and recirculation systems, where reused water contains nutrients that have not been absorbed by the crop. "We are talking about water that already comes fertilized. By keeping it stable, the need for additional nutrient inputs is also reduced," he adds.
"We do not sell sustainability as a concept, we have solved a real environmental problem"
Although development of the idea began in 2015, its market launch coincided with the start of the pandemic in 2020. "We had the factory ready, the product validated by universities, and we entered the market just as the world stopped. That was a major challenge, because we had to wait for activity to restart and begin with a delay."
"Even so, since then Evapocontrol has already covered more than 400 reservoirs in Spain and other European countries, with a strong presence in Andalusia, Murcia, the Valencian Community and Catalonia, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium, which we serve through our distributor Energencia BV. We are also present in France, Portugal, Italy and Poland."
© Evapo-Control
Gimeno believes the sector is still at an early stage of adoption. "Out of the tens of thousands of reservoirs in Spain, there are probably not even 1,000 covered. But I am convinced that in ten years it will make no sense to store such a valuable resource as water without protecting it."
Evapocontrol offers a physical solution with no chemical products, aligned with sustainability and designed for a resource that is becoming increasingly strategic. "The material we use is single layer, recyclable and largely recycled, with strong environmental credentials. But even though we can claim sustainability, we do not sell sustainability as a concept. We have solved a real environmental problem."
For more information:
© Evapo-ControlEvapo-Control
Pol.Ind.Saprelorca (extension 2ª) Avd. Río Júcar, s/n, Parcela OB
30817 Lorca (Murcia)
T. 968 47 75 81 - 682 667 560
[email protected]
https://evapocontrol.com/
Energencia B.V.
Achterstenhoek 5 - 2275 Lille Belgium
T. +32 478 547 271
[email protected]
www.evapocontol.be
