Leaks in Rural and Farm Dams

Dams are valuable resources on farm, being the source of water to feed livestock and provide irrigation for crops. A common misconception people have is that if a dam leaks, it probably wasn’t built properly and a cheap dam liner can be utilised to fix the problem. However it is much more complex and soil conditions determine how the dam is to be initially constructed. Ideally a dam is build on a clay based soil, any other soil to some degree will leak. The worst soils are sandy, loam based soils and shale rock soils, as these will leak the most. Dams are then made with either a clay or bentonite layer and the use of things like dam liners is uncommon as the cost is higher. Dam liners are only employed where other sealing techniques have failed, but can guarantee that no further leaking will occur.

 Aside from the soil condition, dam leakage can also occur by ground movement, erosion, incursion by tree roots and damage from livestock, just to name a few. In cases where leakage occurs, several different types of solutions can be undertaken:

- Rebuild a new dam at a different site.

- Adding a sealant to the dam, however success is low when there is still water in the dam and it is greatly increased with the dam empty. Adding a sealant to a full dam means that the application is largely uncontrolled, and thus success is not guaranteed. The treated layer will also not be compacted making it prone to being disturbed and damaged. Sealants include synthetic polymers, clays such as sodium and calcium bentonite clay and other materials like gypsum.

- Other options include the use of sodium trip polyphosphate (for certain soil conditions), bitumen and concrete .

- Completely cleaning out the dam, and re-compact the soil

- Use of a dam liner, often very expensive, but has a very high success rate and can last from 10 to 30 yrs depending on soil conditions and material choice

 

When looking at a dam liner, there are a few different types of material that can be used, including:

1. Polypropylene and Polyethylene are the most common types of liners.
2. PVC was once a common usage for large dams, but not so any more. It is too costly and doesn’t offer a long life expectancy. It is still suitable for smaller installs though.
3. A quality HDPE liner can provide for a long life expectancy, and
4. EPDM and butyl based rubber liners tend to give the longest lifespans, with 30+ yrs not being uncommon.

For further information on leaking dams and possible remedies, we recommend reading the resource on leaking dams is provided by the Western Australian Government at

http://archive.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/lwe/water/eng/fn005_2003.pdf

also see the NSW Government’s resource handbook on dams, which discusses methods of fitting the dam-liners into the eco-systems:

http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/39704/FarmDamFinalLR.pdf

How To Protect Your Pond Liner

When installing or building a pond there are 3 main methods to construction. Firstly you can buy a pre-fabricated pond shell made from either fibre glass or plastic. These are a very easy and quick way to get started with a pond. However you will be limited to size and shape of what is available. Some people chose to concrete form their ponds but this can be an expensive process. Lastly many people choose to dig our their own pond and line it with a pond liner.

When preparing a site for a pond and before fitting a pond liner, you will need to make sure the ground is smooth as possible and there are no rocks, protruding roots or any other sharp objects. Some people lay down about 50 mm of sand to make a firm base or alternatively you can use a geotextile underlay.

A Geo textile underlay adds a protective barrier between a liner and the surface it is being installed onto. Used not only with pond liners, it is regularly used with tank liners and dam liners, helping protect the liner against sharp objects like rocks as well as from intrusion from tree roots.

Geotextile underlay is usually recommended as it is a better alternative to sand. It can hinder root growth into the pond liner as well as being more flexible with ground movement.

A good geotextile underlay needs to have a couple of key properties:

1. It should be permeable, which means it lets water pass through it.
2. It needs to be designed to be laid against soil and dirty conditions, and needs to be rot resistant.
3. Finally in needs the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect or drain water that might be trapped under the pond lining.

Geotextile underlay material is also a great DIY solution, as its much easier and quicker to lay than sand. You can also install the underlay in sections, just overlapping the joins, which means you waste less by being able to utilise smaller pieces.

Typically made from mechanically bonded polypropylene needle punched material and usually comes in black, but can be bought in white or grey colours. This long lasting material is a recommended addition with making any small or large pond with a pond liner.

For More Information Visit:- Pond Liner

Spill bunds reduce risk of contamination and subsequent plant

Our population is growing, Industry is expanding & technology is changing. We can no longer ignore the impact industry has on our environment. Every step possible needs to be taken to protect the environment.

With the harsh chemicals and fuels being used on a daily basis there is a very real danger of spills leading to contamination of the surrounding environment. These spills may be minor such as a leak in a container or leaky fitting. It could also be more substantial such as equipment failure where the entire contents of the container are suddenly released.

When a chemical spill occurs, there are important steps that need to be taken to minimize the impact on the environment and limit the damage.

• Control the source of the spill – Where ever possible and practical steps must be taken to stop or minimize the spill. If a spray hose bursts turn off the appropriate valves to prevent further spillage. Consult the Material Data Sheet for guidelines (MSDS) Spill bunds and secondary containment systems are a great solution to minimize the damage of a spill.

• Contain the spill – It is vitally important to contain the spilled liquid or material in a confined area to prevent the substance from spreading over a wide area causing more damage. Minimize the risk and damage by using a spill bund. A spill bund will contain the spill. The spill should ideally be cleaned and cleared away as soon as possible to minimize damage. It is important to prevent any spill flowing into any body of water especially storm water drains.

• Isolate the area concerned (if appropriate) – Safety first! Access should be restricted and competent qualified personal should handle the cleanup operation. Ideally if the spill is particularity dangerous or toxic someone should be stationed at the spill site until the hazards materials are cleaned up.

• Contact the authorities (if appropriate) – If the spill enters drains, storm water drains, water ways or can damage the environment / pose a health threat to the public the fire brigade, Public health authorities or appropriate authorities should be notified as soon as possible.

• Clean up the spill – All protective measures need to be adhered to at all times.

Protective clothing and equipment need to be used to ensure personal safety of the individuals involved with the cleanup operation.

Spill bunds are a preventative measure that will contain spills and reduce the impact of spills on the environment. Spill bunds are custom made to required sizes and designed to contain the entire volume of material. They are cost effective solutions that can be reused if cared for and maintained properly.

Spill bunds reduce the risk of contamination and subsequent plant damage.

Once the spill is contained and cleared away it is advisable that the original vessel / Container are cleaned as part of the clean up procedure. The spill bund will contain the water residue until it the pumped out and disposed of safely.

Protection of our environment is paramount – it is the only one we have!

For More Information Visit: – Spill Bunds

Benefits of using Fabric Solutions Australia Pond Liner

A pond is generally defined as a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a dam or lake. The technical distinction between a pond and a lake has not been universally standardised. Some say that the definition of a pond relates to depth that light can penetrate and support rooted plants, while other definitions are related to size (footprint) rather than depth or volume. The terms pond, lake and dam can often be used interchangeably.

A pond liner is generally thought to be an impermeable liner, often a geomembrane material that is used for water retention. These impermeable liners are used for the lining of lakes, garden ponds and artificial streams in parks and gardens.

Pond liners need to be protected from sharp objects (for example, sticks, roots and stones) below the liner and from being punctured by any objects in the water body. Liner protection can be provided with layers of sand, concrete, fibre-matting, geotextile and other materials.

Pond liners are manufactured in rolls and strips of liner can be seamed or welded together in a fabrication facility or on site. A number of flexible materials, such as PVC and EPDM, and polyethylene (LLDPE) can have their panels pre-fabricated together in the factory to fit the design shape of the pond.

The edge of the pond liner can be rolled over and secured in a trench or it can be fixed to a vertical wall made in brick or concrete. Box-shaped pond liners can be made for rectangular structures. The vast majority of flexible pond liners available commercially are manufactured of EPDM, butyl rubber or PVC, with LLDPE now being used more and more as it has become more commonly available.

Butyl Rubber and EPDM are relatively expensive but are very flexible, long lasting and mostly fish friendly. PVC and LLDPE are much cheaper but in many cases PVC is not fish friendly or does not have good long term UV resistance.

LLDPE has excellent UV resistance, is fish friendly and flexible albeit not as flexible as Butyl or EPDM.

A good quality pond liner will last many years but many of the lighter gauge (thin) and cheap pond liners have limited life, poor UV light resistance and potentially can kill fish, particularly the more sensitive breds like Koi fish.

For More Information Visit:-  Pond Liner