The two basic sources of water for irrigation in agriculture are drilled wells and reservoirs. Drilling wells is expensive, and there is a charge for the water extracted and used too. Many illegal wells are still operated, but probably not for long. Also, wells are environmentally damaging. In the long term, the solution is not sustainable, because drilled wells lead to a steady decline in groundwater levels, which, in turn, causes the drying out of the soil and a deterioration in its quality. It is not worth or advisable to sacrifice all the natural resources that are essential for agriculture for short-term gains. This is completely contrary to the interests of farmers, agriculture and society in general, especially future generations. The other source of irrigation water is the surface water reservoir, which is, in every respect, a superior choice compared to drilled wells. Reservoirs, which use surface water and rainfall, generally collect water naturally, and are clearly the optimal solution for agricultural irrigation. Reservoirs can be based on natural waters, such as lakes or canals, or artificial constructions – the latter being the case where there is no natural water. Building a reservoir is not too complicated. It requires excavation work for the bed, which is then lined with plastic sheeting to prevent the stored water from seeping into the ground. The construction of artificial reservoirs is eligible for national and European Union agricultural subsidies. Recognising the growing importance of irrigation, decision-makers are now treating it as a priority and are launching specific calls for proposals for irrigation development.

When designing a constructed reservoir, efficient water management must be considered to ensure that the available water resources are used as efficiently as possible and are conserved until needed. This is particularly important because evaporation is the main reason behind water loss in reservoirs. Water stored in a reservoir is constantly evaporating. Often, only a fraction of the original volume is available by the time it is needed in a droughty period – or it may even completely dry up. Moreover, the shallower and larger the reservoir, the more likely this is to happen, as evaporation will be accelerated.

Another problem with the storage of irrigation water is water quality. By mid-summer, water surfaces often become infested with algae. Duckweed and other aquatic plants can invade the water surface, which can eventually lead to the siltation of the reservoir. These plants can make it difficult to withdraw water from the reservoir, and certain algae that may grow in the reservoir can spoil the water intended for irrigation.

The agricultural cover balls developed by Euro-Matic provide a solution to both of these problems. Measuring 10 cm in diameter, these black, UV- and weather-resistant plastic balls will create a contiguous blanket and cover 91% of the surface, drastically reducing evaporation by up to 90%. In addition, this blanketing layer will block out light from the deeper layers of the water, creating an unfavourable environment for algae and aquatic plants, which need light to thrive. Also, there are a number of additional benefits to using the balls, simply because they form an insulating layer on the surface of the water, inhibiting interactions between the water and its environment. For example, the layer acts as a thermal insulating layer, ensuring that the temperature of the water in the reservoir remains more uniform, regardless of the season. For heated liquids, up to 75% of the costs can be saved. The floating cover is also suitable for camouflaging the water surface, such as in the case of airports, where birds pose a major safety risk and need to be kept away.

Cover balls are going to provide a reliable solution for these issues for decades, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits without any worries. They need no maintenance or care throughout their lifetime, and have zero pollution potential. At the end of their life cycle, they can be recovered just like any other plastic product. The great advantage of cover balls is that they offer a one-off investment opportunity, without any design or hidden costs. It is not an exaggeration to say that cover balls can save you huge expenses on the long run throughout the entire life cycle.