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Water Truck Calculator

Estimate water needed for dust control or compaction, and how many tank loads the job requires.

Inputs

Common water trucks: 8,000–20,000 L (2,000–5,000 US gal).
Typical dust control: 0.5–2 L/m². Compaction watering varies widely by soil.
Allows for wind drift, overspray, and runoff. 80% is a practical field default.

For estimation purposes only. Terms of Use

Result

litres of water needed
Tank capacity
Water needed (US gal)
Water needed (Imp gal)
Tank loads required

Formula Used

Water needed = Application rate × Area ÷ Efficiency
Tank loads = Water needed ÷ Tank capacity (rounded up)

Worked Example

A 20,000 m² haul road at 1 L/m² with an 80% spray efficiency and a 12,000 L truck:

Water needed = 1 × 20000 ÷ 0.80 = 25,000 L
Tank loads = 25,000 ÷ 12,000 = 3 loads (rounded up)

When to Use This Calculator

Use this when scheduling water trucks for dust control on haul roads, site prep, or compaction watering — so you know how many loads and how much truck time the job needs.

When Not to Use This Calculator

This is a planning estimate. Actual water demand depends on soil type, weather, temperature, and the number of passes — adjust application rates with field conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water does dust control really need?

A light application on a haul road is roughly 0.5–1 L/m²; heavier treatments or dry conditions can go higher. Start low and adjust based on what the site needs.

What does spray efficiency mean?

Not all water from the spray bar lands where you want it. Wind, overspray, and runoff typically reduce effectiveness to 70–90%, so we include it in the calculation.