Case study · Olive growing · Andalusia
Securing a 10,000 m² storage basin for a super-intensive olive grove in Andalusia
A 180 ha Picual and Arbequina operation in Jaén province relied on a 10,000 m² headwater basin fed from the Guadalquivir. With summer irrigation quotas and a reference evaporation rate of 1,400 mm/year, the agronomy team quantified passive losses before covering the basin with Hexprotect AQUA modules.
- 10,000 m²
- Storage basin surface area
- 1,400 mm/year
- Reference evaporation E_ref (AEMET, Jaén)
- 14,000 m³/year
- Gross loss V = (S × E_ref) / 1,000
- 12,320 m³/year
- Secured volume V × η (η = 0.88 conservative)
Operation context
180 ha super-intensive grove in Picual and Arbequina on calcareous soils of the Jaén campiña. The 10,000 m² basin, fed in winter by pumping from the Guadalquivir and topped up by spring rainfall, supports fruit-set irrigation (June) and fruit loading (August–September). In 2024–2025, hydrographic confederation restrictions cut allocated volumes: every cubic metre stored before summer became critical to maintain oil yield without exceeding quota.
Initial diagnosis
Pre-cover water balance: V = (10,000 × 1,400) / 1,000 = 14,000 m³/year evaporated from open water. At an estimated irrigation cost of €0.35/m³ (pumping energy, fees, labour), passive loss exceeded €4,900/year — excluding fruit-set stress risk. Surface algae and water warming increased treatment operations and dripper clogging risk.
Solution deployed
Hexprotect AQUA PEHD hexagonal modules deployed by direct pour, without structural supports. Aerodynamic geometry limits uplift from dominant winds (levante and poniente) on this exposed campiña site. One operator covered 10,000 m² in ten working days without interrupting the irrigation network. The cover limits direct solar radiation, breaks the vapour transfer boundary layer and stabilises stored-water temperature.
Measurable results
With conservative η = 0.88, secured volume reaches 12,320 m³/year — 88% of gross loss intercepted passively, with zero energy use. In supplemental irrigation terms, that covers fruit-set and loading for over 120 ha at a typical 100 m³/ha dosage in a dry year. Algae reduction also cut cleaning frequency and drip network clogging risk.
Lessons for olive growing
In Andalusia and Catalonia, passive evaporation on large agricultural basins is often underestimated in annual water balances. An on-site audit refines E_ref (wind, shading, depth) and η (80–96%). This Jaén profile applies to olive basins in Córdoba, Seville and Catalan reservoirs where E_ref frequently exceeds 1,300 mm/year.
Frequently asked questions about this case
Does the cover withstand wind in Andalusia?
Hexprotect AQUA modules are designed to limit wind scooping through aerodynamic hexagonal geometry. On this Jaén site, deployment held against dominant summer winds. An on-site audit evaluates actual exposure and supplementary anchoring if needed.
Why η = 0.88 instead of 0.96?
0.88 is Hydropreserve's conservative coefficient for Europe (80–96% range depending on wind and geometry). 0.96 reflects the maximum measured under extreme arid conditions (Nevada 2024, AWTT / Hexprotect AQUA reference).
What is the source for E_ref = 1,400 mm/year?
Consistent with AEMET references for Jaén and the 1,200–1,500 mm/year range on the olive growing culture page. An on-site audit refines the value for actual basin exposure.
Calculation: V = (S × E_ref) / 1,000. Secured volume = V × η with η = 0.88 (conservative coefficient). Representative profile based on a typical super-intensive Andalusian olive operation — figures to be validated by on-site audit. See Methodology for the full protocol.