Water$ave Plug & Seep FAQ

What is Water$ave Plug & Seep?

• Water$ave Plug & Seep are a blend of super absorbent polymers of different sized particles similar to water crystals.

How does it work?

• Polymer Innovations Water$ave Plug Range works by applying the dry polymer blend to the water surface of the water catchment area.
• Once the polymers come in contact with the water it creates an invisible net that carries the polymers & any solids in the water downwards towards the leaks.
• The different sized polymers then start expand up to 300 times it's size & head toward the voids, cracks & crevices where the water is leaking.
• These polymers create a 'plug' & continue to expand filling all holes, cracks, crevices & porous soils over the coming days & weeks.
• The hydrated polymers then become a part of the soil structure for decades.
• Water$ave Plug Range is a blend of lineal & cross linked polymers that are 99% insoluble, non toxic & biodegradable. It will not harm any plants or animals like fish, yabbies, your pets or livestock.
• This polymer is known as a Polyacrylamide. A combination of two monomers, Acrylamide & Potassium Acrylate. It’s charge density & molecular weight can be controlled by the ratio of Acrylamide & Potassium Acrylate.
• This allows us to customise its charge depending on the soil to be bonded. This is known as flocculation, where soil solids are bonded into 'flocs'.
• Water$ave locates the leak & seals it! Even if you don't know exactly where the leak is our polymers will locate the outflows.

Which blend Plug or Seep?

• Water$ave Plug is designed for earthen dams, ponds or canals that contain soil crevices & cracks that are generally wider than 4mm.
  • Plug hydrates & expands up to 300 times it's particle size.
  • Plug is perfect for walls & bases with soil types containing:
    • Granite
    • Slate
    • Shale
    • Gravel
    • Conglomerates
    • Boulders
    • Pebbles
    • Exposed soils w/ holes, cracks or tunnels.

• Water$ave Seep is designed for earthen dams, ponds or canals that contain fine soil crevices that are generally narrower than 4mm.
  • Seep hydrates & expands up to 200 times it's particle size.
  • Seep is perfect for walls & bases with soil types containing:
    • Loams
    • High Clays
    • Decomposed Granite
    • Sand
    • Silts
    • Basalt
    • Limestone/Sandstone
    • Sandy Clay Loams
    • Black/Red Clays
    • Alluvium/River Soils
    • Volcanic Soils

Can it be applied to dry dams or ponds?

• Possibly, please contact us to discuss this specialised application.

When should I treat the dam/pond?

• If your dam has water in it & is currently leaking water then now would be the best time to apply Water$ave Plug.
• The pressure of the water & the leakage creates the suction needed to draw the polymers into the problem areas.
• If you do not have any water in your dam yet, you can apply Water$ave Plug as your dam is filling up as this ensures a neat & even coverage.

When is best time of day to apply it?

• It is best applied during a quiet morning at low wind times so the product is not blown away during application.
• Be sure that there is little to no wind or rain & that there is no water overflowing from the dam.

I know where the leak is. Can I apply the WaterSave to that area or do I have to treat the whole dam?

• Yes, if you know where the leak is then you can concentrate your application to that area but it is also recommended that the rest of the dam be treated as well & this can be done when the dam is full or is at least above the problem area.

How do you apply Water$ave Plug & Seep?

• Application is at a minimum rate of 100gm per m2 and should not be broadcast further than 1.5 metres by hand or fertilizer spreader.
• Broadcast the polymer no more than 1.5 metres, a boat is recommended to make sure that the application is spread evenly all over the dam without spreading the blend.
• Be careful not to separate the blend or go through the polymer while applying to the water surface.
• Distribute it as if you are 'feeding the chickens' at the recommended rates.

Is it safe for plants, fish & animals?

• Yes, it is 100% safe to use in dams where livestock are present.
• Please remove any livestock that is occupying the affected areas.
• Water$ave is biodegradable, non toxic & environmentally friendly.
• If ingested, the acid in the stomach will start to break down the gels & the water is released into the stomach, the polymer beads are then passed through.

How much area does the 18kg pail treat?

• A 18kg pail will treat approx. 180m2 when applied at the recommended rate of 100gm per m2.

How much Water$ave Plug will I need?

• A minimum of 100g per m2 calculated on the surface area of your dam, depending on whether your dam is full or partially full.
• You can work out how much product is needed by using our online Water$ave Plug & Seep Polymer Calculator.

I have tried liners & bentonite clay but my dam still leaks. Will Water$ave work better than bentonite?

• Clients that have tried sealing their leaking dams with linings or bentonite without success have great results using Water$ave Plug.

Will my dam be sealed on first application? How many applications will I need?

• In the vast majority of cases clients successfully seal their leaking dams on first application but in some cases further application may be required.
• These instances occur usually when rare, unforseen circumstances have been encountered or there has been a lack of adequete information regarding the leak before hand.

How long will it take to work?

• Allow 24 - 48 hrs to hydrate & sink towards the outflows.
• Then allow 2 - 10 days depending on the rate of leak for the polymers to start incorporating into the soil structures. Some clients have had their dams sealed within a few days.
• On average you could have your dam sealed or notice the slowing down of water loss within 3-7 days!
• If your dam is still leaking after this time further applications could be necessary.
• Please Contact Us if there has been no change there may be something we haven't considered eg. tree roots.

What if it does not stop my dam from leaking after 2 weeks?

• There may be a few factors to consider that may have an influence on why your dam is not sealed.
• Has the leak slowed down or is there any noticeable change in the leak?
• Was the recommended amount used and was enough product applied to the dam?
• Were the dam measurements correct?
• Have there been any other changes to the dam or area since the first application?
• There may be a more severe problem than first thought & further applications may be required.

Will it work if my dam has weeds? Do I need to remove the weeds first?

• Weeds will inhibit the flow of the polymer into the soil.
• The polymer needs a clear path to the soil, if you have any weeds, reeds, leaf, litter or deep slit, you will need to remove these before application.
• Water$ave Plug & Seep is made up of different sized hydrating particles & they will be sucked into those areas.

How long will it last in the dam? Is it permanent?

• Water$ave under normal conditions will seal for decades.
• With ongoing trials we anticipate that this is a permanent solution to sealing leaks & ponds.

Who has used it?

• Our Water$ave range has been used successfully worldwide from Canada, The United States, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa & Zimbabwe.
• In Australia, The Department of Land/Soil Conservation have used it in the field for years with great success.
• It has been used by farmers, fisheries, government departments & councils through to mining & construction companies.
• Due to it's versatile nature & ability to customise to specific environments we believe it will be suitable for most situations & scale.

What is the success rate?

• Some cases require further applications due to unknown or undefined problems.
• Most dams and ponds are sealed with one applicaiton only

Does it work on all soil types?

• Between the two Water$ave Plug & Seep blends, generally yes.
• High levels of alkalinity, salinity or acidity may affect the product's performance however.
• In these rare cases the blend can be altered to suit your specific conditions.

Can I apply it to a new dam that I am building?

• Yes, Water$ave has been designed to apply to new as well as already constructed dams by applying it to the base & walls of the dam depending on the location of the leak.

Will you guarantee it will seal my dam?

• No. Due to unforeseen circumstances & the nature of the problems we are unable to guarantee that this product will always work first time.
• Further applications may be necessary & we do encourage you to communicate with us if you are experiencing problems with sealing your leaking dam so we can get the best possible results for your team.