---
url: https://www.eurocovers.eu/solutions/evaporation-control
title: Evaporation control for industrial water
description: Reduce open-water evaporation losses up to 95% (AWTT) with patented modular floating covers. For EU reservoirs, tailings, and process water.
updated: 2026-05-25
---

# Evaporation control for industrial water

Reduce open-water evaporation losses up to 95% (AWTT) with patented modular floating covers. For EU reservoirs, tailings, and process water.

Floating covers stop evaporation by physically removing the water-air interface — AWTT publishes
up to 95% reduction for the Hexprotect® AQUA hexagonal element, across reservoirs, tailings ponds,
and process water tanks.

## What is evaporation control?

**Evaporation control** is the active reduction of open-water surface losses on industrial reservoirs,
tailings ponds, agricultural storage, and process water tanks. Floating covers are the most cost-effective
approach: a surface barrier removes the water-air interface that drives evaporative loss.

## How evaporation control works

A floating cover reduces evaporation through three mechanisms:

- **Surface coverage** — the cover physically blocks the water-air interface; without exposure, evaporation cannot proceed.
- **Vapor-pressure equalisation** — air trapped under the cover saturates quickly, eliminating the driving gradient.
- **Wind isolation** — the cover surface dissipates wind energy that would otherwise accelerate surface evaporation.

AWTT publishes 99% effective surface coverage and up to 95% evaporation reduction for the Hexprotect® AQUA hexagonal element.

## Benefits of evaporation control

| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Surface coverage (Hexprotect® AQUA) | 99% effective | [AWTT](https://www.awtti.com/hexprotect-aqua-hexagonal-cover/) |
| Evaporation reduction (Hexprotect® AQUA) | up to 95% | [AWTT](https://www.awtti.com/hexprotect-aqua-hexagonal-cover/) |
| Payback period | 18–36 months | Operating-cost modelling on reservoirs > 5,000 m² |
| Life expectancy (Hexprotect® AQUA) | 25+ years | [AWTT](https://www.awtti.com/hexprotect-aqua-hexagonal-cover/) |
| Manufacturer warranty | 10 years | [AWTT](https://www.awtti.com/hexprotect-aqua-hexagonal-cover/) |
| Maintenance | None required | [AWTT](https://www.awtti.com/hexprotect-aqua-hexagonal-cover/) |

## When to use evaporation control

Evaporation control via floating cover is appropriate when:

- Operating water cost > €0.50/m³ and surface area > 1,000 m²
- Operating in climates with PET (potential evapotranspiration) > 1,200 mm/year
- Regulatory exposure under the EU Water Framework Directive
- Water-stressed regions (Spain, southern France, southern Italy, Greece, MENA)
- Reservoirs with limited or expensive replacement abstraction

## Evaporation control vs. alternatives

Compared to shade mesh, floating balls, or chemical surfactant monolayers, hexagonal floating covers
deliver the highest evaporation reduction, the longest lifecycle, and the lowest maintenance burden.
See [hexagonal vs. floating balls](/vs/floating-balls) and [hexagonal vs. shade mesh](/vs/shade-mesh).

## Related solutions and products

- [Hexprotect® AQUA](/products/hexprotect-aqua)
- [Algae prevention](/solutions/algae-prevention)
- [Complete guide to floating covers](/knowledge/complete-guide-to-floating-covers)

## The authentic patented engineering

EuroCover Water Systems distributes the **original AWTT-patented hexagonal floating cover** —
[Hexprotect® AQUA](https://www.awtti.com/hexprotect-aqua-hexagonal-cover/), certified to 130+ MPH
(209+ km/h) wind, NSF/ANSI food-grade, with a 25+ year life expectancy and 10-year manufacturer
warranty. The self-ballasting engineering that makes anchorless deployment possible is patented;
the validation history attaches to the original product, not to imitations. See [/heritage](/heritage)
for the provenance chain and why authentic engineering matters for industrial water procurement.