For cannabis cultivators, there is a plethora of technology and resources available to help optimize a more efficient and sustainable operation.
When it comes to natural resources such as water, there are a few methods that are commonly implemented in cultivation processes to conserve and reuse this water.
Read on to better understand the difference between reverse osmosis technology and water containment systems, plus how and why your operation can benefit from both.
What is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes impurities and contaminants from water by forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules such as salts, minerals, and other impurities.
In the cannabis industry, reverse osmosis is an essential process used in the cultivation and production of cannabis. Cannabis plants require high-quality water to grow and thrive, and any impurities in the water can affect the plant's growth and yield.
Benefits of Reverse Osmosis in Cannabis
RO systems remove up to 99% of the dissolved solids, minerals, and other contaminants from the water, ensuring that the water used in cannabis cultivation is clean and free of harmful impurities.
One of the primary benefits of using reverse osmosis in cannabis cultivation is that it reduces the risk of plant disease and nutrient deficiencies.
Reducing Risk for Plant Disease: By removing contaminants and impurities from the water, RO systems prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens that can cause diseases in the plants.
Removes excess minerals from water: This helps to prevent nutrient imbalances that can affect plant growth and yield while purifying the water.
Total control of pH and nutrient levels in water: Growers can add a precise amount of nutrients and adjust the pH level to meet the specific needs of the plants. This level of precision and control over the water quality can lead to healthier plants, higher yields, and better-quality cannabis products.
By removing contaminants, pathogens, and excess minerals from the water, RO systems have been debated to help growers produce healthier plants with higher and healthier yields.
What is a Cannabis Water Containment System?
Geomat’s Patented cannabis water containment system is designed to capture, collect, and filter all wastewater and water runoff used in cultivation operations. More specifically, these containment systems are often utilized during sanitation and contamination processes throughout cannabis cultivation.
Wastewater that is captured on Geomat’s water containment system is collected and then pumped through a Patented filter system where it undergoes a filtration process to extract impurities and filtered them for reuse. While these water containment systems do no thoroughly purify the wastewater of total impurities such as Reverse Osmosis systems, this process and the water as a result can be efficiently reused in various applications.
The patented closed-loop Geomat manages the large amounts of wastewater resulting from the sanitation of cultivation supplies, tools, and equipment by recycling and cleaning the wastewater and piping it back for reuse. A closed-loop system requires the dirty water to be pumped out by a licensed hauler periodically.
Benefits of Cannabis Water Containment Systems
Considering the long list of reasons water is needed throughout commercial cannabis cultivation, there are plenty of benefits to reusing and reclaiming any water runoff or wastewater for reuse.
Unlimited Reuse of Water: Any wastewater and water runoff collected on the Geomat can be reused for multiple amounts of time, without continuously pulling from municipal or local resources.
Complete Zero Waste: Unlike most RO systems, cannabis water containment systems leave no byproduct or waste remains from the filtration process. The water is simply filtered and pumped back for reuse.
Track & Conserve Water Usage: To meet all compliance requirements and facility guidelines, Geomat systems allow you to accurately track and record the water being used in operations. Water is collected in a closed-loop system Patent containment system and treated in a water tank before reuse. Alternatively, in most cases this reclaimed water can safely be returned to other parts of the property’s facility or municipal watersheds and sewer lines while meeting all state/federal water requirements.
Geomat’s systems are designed to capture and recycle this wastewater that would ultimately go down the drain or pump back into the public sanitary sewer system. Instead, these water containment systems capture and store the recycled water in aerated tanks and prepare it for immediate reuse. With no disposal of excess waste or water, Geomat helps facilities completely close the loop on their water usage and sanitation methods.
Geomat: The Leading Cultivation Technology for Water Conservation
Geomat is proud to be a leading provider of water conservation solutions for the cannabis industry. The Patented Cannabis Water Containment Systems are designed to efficiently capture, recycle, and reuse any wastewater accumulated from sanitation processes and provide a sustainable and environmentally compliant solution for cultivators and cannabis facilities.
Learn more about Geomat and reach out for a quote or more information today!