Water$ave Plug & Seep Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Water$ave PL Plug & Seep?

• Water$ave PL Plug & Seep is a specific 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 PL locates the leak & seals it!
  Even if you don't know exactly where the leak is our polymers will locate the outflows.
  

Which blend PL Plug or PL Seep (...or both)?

• Water$ave PL 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 PL 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.
      
      
• Sometimes a combination of the two blends can be used in different parts of the dam with varying earthen & soil structures. 

• Water$ave PL Bomb, a third blend is available only after consultation with a Polymer Innovations representative.
  Bomb is a specific slow release polymer for last resort major leakages in a general area.

Can it be applied to dry dams or ponds?  

• No, because Water$ave Plug reacts  with water you need to have at least 1m depth of water in your dam to treat it. 

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 PL 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 PL Plug & Seep?

• Please visit our How To Apply Water$ave Plug & Seep page for more information.
  
  
• Application is at a minimum rate of 75g/m² on a slow leak and 100g//m² on a fast leak 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 PL 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 20kg pail treat?

• A 20kg pail will treat 200m² when applied at 100g/m² for a fast leak.
  
  
• Or A 20kg pail will treat 267m² when applied at 75g/m² for a slow leak.

How much Water$ave Plug will I need?

• A minimum of 100g per m² for a fast leak & 75g per m² for a slow leak is needed, 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 PL 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 PL 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 PL 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?

• Approximatley 1-2% of cases require further applications due to unknown or undefined problems.
  
  
• A more specialised product or application may be required to suit the client & their situation.

Does it work on all soil types?

• Between the two Water$ave PL 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 PL 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.