Frequently Asked Questions
Cost and contract first, then the chemistry, then how the system runs day to day.
Cost, Contract, and Fit
What does it cost?
A fixed price per acre per year for agriculture, or per hole per year for golf, varying with water quality and flow rate. It covers the equipment, installation, CO₂ supply, remote monitoring, and every calibration visit. No capital investment.
What is the contract structure?
A fully managed service agreement. ECO2MIX owns and services the equipment; calibration, maintenance, and CO₂ supply are all included in the fixed price. No operator needed on your side.
Is my operation a fit for ECO2MIX?
ECO2MIX works with commercial production agriculture and golf courses. A single unit usually treats 40 or more acres from one pump station, and the equipment can treat over 1,000 acres from one pump station. Multiple reactors can be combined for larger operations. Golf courses of any size are a fit. Backyard, hobby, and small residential systems are not.
How disruptive is installation?
ECO2MIX builds the reactor for your flow rate, then installs it at your existing pump station. Your irrigation program does not change.
The Chemistry
Why choose carbonic acid over sulfuric acid?
Carbonic acid delivers the same water pH control, including reducing bicarbonates, and adds no residual sulfates or chlorides. It is non-corrosive, carries no handling risk, and cannot over-acidify because it self-buffers at around pH 5.
What happens to bicarbonates?
They go down, not up. Lowering water pH to 6.5 converts roughly 50% of existing bicarbonates to carbonic acid (CO₂ + H₂O), which off-gasses or feeds soil microbes. It does this without leaving a residual salt behind, where sulfuric acid leaves sulfate, nitric acid leaves nitrate, and phosphoric acid leaves phosphate.
Is carbonic acid suitable for organic farming?
Yes. ECO2MIX carbonic acid is approved by CCOF and has been approved by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) for the USDA National List of Allowed Substances. It is the same natural process as rainwater dissolving atmospheric CO₂.
The System in Operation
How do I know if the system is working?
Three checkpoints: the reactor display shows treated water pH in real time; a cup test at the furthest emitter during irrigation, measured immediately with a field meter, confirms the target is reaching the end of the line; and soil health tests once or twice a season track the long-term trend. The full sampling protocol is on the What to Expect page.
Where exactly is the carbonic acid injected?
Directly after the pump station, before water reaches the field. Not into reservoirs or ponds. This ensures uniform water pH control for all irrigation water from that station.
Can the system handle variable water flow or different water sources?
Yes. A pH probe drives an automated feedback loop that continuously adjusts CO₂ dosing to hold the target, even as water quality or flow rate varies. Well water, district water, recycled water, and mixed sources all work.
Is CO₂ safe to use near workers and equipment?
Yes, in outdoor and open settings. CO₂ is non-corrosive and non-flammable; it is the same gas used in beverage carbonation. The main caution is buildup in enclosed indoor spaces, which is not a concern in outdoor agriculture and golf.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out directly. We're happy to walk through your water source, flow rate, and what a proposal would look like.