Abstract: Water needling is used to constantly subject the entire surface of a width of a goods line to water jets. However, it is also advantageous for units of commodity goods that are to be consolidated and optionally, if a cover nonwoven supporting these goods only needs to be consolidated around them or if a cover nonwoven is to be bonded around the goods. All possible patterns, such as line or strip consolidation, are advantageous. This is made possible by the invention, which provides for measures which specifically control, e.g. partially impede and/or interrupt the flow of the water jets from a water beam. This can occur by means of cover panels which advance with the line, supported by a screen or by means of a screen alone. Individually movable, computer-controlled nozzles are also advantageous for partial consolidation.