Available in 1 quart, 1 gallon, and 2 gallon sizes

Aqua-Drive Residential

The #1 Soil Wetting Agent – now for Residential Lawns and Gardens

Aqua-Drive is the leading soil wetting agent in western agriculture—saving water for more than 20 years. Now formulated for residential lawns and gardens. Aqua-Drive helps homeowners save water. It enables soils to absorb more water faster with less runoff. Helps water penetrate more deeply and widely in chronic dry patches of lawns and gardens.

Product Information

BLOCK POLYMER SURFACTANT

Aqua-Drive’s advanced chemistry treats both the soil and water to drive moisture into hard-to-wet soils.

TWO MODES OF ACTION

Reduces surface tension of water droplets as much as 60%. Bonds to hydrophobic soil colloids, dispersing water down and across the root zone.

VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES RUNOFF

Enables water to soak into soil more quickly. Prevents pooling or run-off into storm drains.

SAVES MORE WATER

A single treatment lasts 45-60 days. Western farmers irrigate less by using Aqua-Drive.

CUTS WATER BILLS

Reduces water use on lawns and gardens. Using less water helps homeowners save time and money.

What are Hydrophobic Soils?

Hydrophobic soils repel water instead of absorbing it. Soil particles are coated with waxy residues. When water is applied to these soils, it beads up, runs off or pools on top of the soil.

Causes of Hydrophobic Soils

  • Soil Particles Coated with Waxy Residues
  • Extreme Heat Caused by Wildfires
  • Inconsistent Irrigation Practices
  • Use of Certain Pesticides and Herbicides
  • Over-use of Mulch or Compost

Symptoms of Hydrophobic Soils

  • Water Running into Storm Sewers
  • Patchy Lawns and Gardens
  • Chronic Dry Spots
  • Stressed Grass and Plants
  • Soil Erosion and Loss of Nutrients

Background

Many soils in the West repel water instead of absorbing it. Irrigation water and precipitation tends to bead up and run off instead of soaking into the soil.

When Should Soil Wetting Agents be Applied

Use in early spring, summer and fall creates a more resilient and consistently moist root zone. This virtually eliminates runoff of rain and irrigation water. Results are more efficient water movement during the growing season.

University California Riverside research shows soils become increasingly non-wettable as they dry. Early treatment improves water penetration, so later irrigations are more effective.

Research by the United States Golf Association (USGA) proves wetting agent applications early in the spring allow water infiltration to be established before peak demand periods.

University Research Data on Water Conservation

University of California Riverside research demonstrates turf quality is maintained by irrigating at only 55% of ETo when soil wetting agents are used. Treated soils consistently show higher soil moisture rates.

Multi-year Utah State University trials show up to 31% increased water infiltration and 40% improvement in water content on hydrophobic soils when wetting agents are applied.

University of Arkansas and The Ohio State University research confirms soil wetting agents effectively prevent drought stress, sustain turf quality and mitigate patchy dry spots in sand-based sports turf and greens. This supports landscape resilience during watering restrictions.

University of Missouri research shows soil wetting agents applied in early spring maintain reduced turf dry spots by up to 61%, compared to untreated test plots.

Sources

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/green-section-record/61/issue-10/penetrants-vs–retainers–understanding-wetting-agent-claims-and.html?utm_source https://www.agproud.com/articles/59633-are-soil-wetting-agents-worth-the-investment
https://mospace.umsystem.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10355/93227/FleetwoodMatthewResearch.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/55/7/article-p1005.xml https://turfgrass.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/2023-08/ctc13_1.pdf https://turfgrass.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/2023-04/wetting_agents_2019.pdf https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cft2.20218?utm_source

What are Soil Wetting Agents?

Soil wetting agents are designed to help soils absorb more water and eliminate runoff of rain or irrigation water. Specially formulated to reduce surface tension and contact angle of water, soil wetting agents allow water to penetrate more quickly, deeply and widely across the root zone.

How does Aqua-Drive Work?

  • Blend of proprietary block polymers and non-ionic surfactants
  • Block polymers increase water penetration by strongly bonding with hydrophobic soil particles to alter soil-water interface
  • Non-ionic surfactants reduce water surface tension by 60% to allow water to spread more easily over and into soils.
  • Increases speed of moisture penetration vertically and laterally to ensure adequate moisture throughout the entire root zone.
  • Virtually eliminates runoff
  • Prevents chronic dry spots and decreases soil compaction

Aqua-Drive Demonstration

Aqua-Drive Mode-of-Action

  1. The block polymers in Aqua-Drive bond strongly with hydrophobic soil particles increasing water absorption.
  2. The non-ionic surfactants in Aqua-Drive reduce water surface tension increasing water penetration into the soil.
  3. Aqua-Drive increases the speed of water penetration, virtually eliminating runoff. In addition, water penetrates more deeply and laterally in the soil profile.

Aqua-Drive: Proven in Western Agriculture–Now for Lawns & Gardens

  • Saves water
  • Cuts irrigation costs
  • Transforms hydrophobic soils to absorb more water
  • Creates healthier root systems
  • Increases drought and heat resistance
  • Launched in 2004

States with Hydrophobic Soils

Contact us for more information or speak with one of our specialists to get help with your specific needs.