Water Management Australia Pty Ltd (WMA) provides growers with water quality control systems & water management programs for horticultural hydrocoolers to control pathogens, and to conserve energy & water.

The shelf life of horticultural produce can be significantly extended by cooling it as soon after harvest as possible. An economical way of cooling fruit & vegetables is to spray them with chilled water in devices known as hydrocoolers. However, to conserve water & energy the water must be recirculated around the system & the water contacting the produce is mandated to be potable. As a result, WMA provides effective water treatment systems that are incorporated into hydrocoolers & are tested on a regular basis to ensure they are maintaining the required Key Performance Indicators.

The consumption of uncooked food carries a danger that it may be a vector for dangerous human pathogens. Produce destined for export must remain fresh for prolonged periods. The best way of ensuring that fruits & vegetables, such as apples, peaches, cherries, peas, beans, pome fruits, asparagus & broccoli remain fresh is to wash & cool them in a properly treated hydrocooler.

Food laws require that potable quality water is used in hydrocoolers. Hydrocooler make-up water may be from bore water, mains water, treated river water or rain water. The water is typically filtered & treated to control pathogens. The water is monitored frequently for indicator micro-organisms, disinfectant residuals, pH & turbidity.

WMA 3700 BCDMH Disinfectant has been approved by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA, 2000) for use as a food processing aid. ANZFA (2001) has recommended that WMA 3700 can be used to wash & disinfect fresh fruits & vegetables.

WMA ORP Water Treatment Controllers are commonly used to measure the concentration of WMA 3700 & to automatically control the dosage.