360,000 sq ft of liner was installed on day 1 BEFORE LUNCH! We’re on our way to a record breaking installation for this 1.6 million sq ft project!
BTL has developed a reputation for both innovation and leadership in the RPE liners industry since the 1980s when we pioneered the development of heavyweight reinforced polyethylene liners. We continue to introduce exciting products and set (and break) performance records for ourselves and the industry. BTL’s unique ability to create the largest panels in the industry allows us to cover large areas with the fewest seams, thereby speeding up installation time and improving the performance of the liner as a whole.
In early October, we had the opportunity to line an enormous 40 acre (1.6 million sf) irrigation reservoir. To appreciate the scale of such a project, imagine a surface area equivalent to 36 American football fields! This set a new record for BTL and, incredibly, we completed the installation in only FOUR days!
This particular liner was installed in the western US, where some of the most severe historical drought conditions continue to ravage water supplies. Our client wisely chose to invest in an artificial reservoir to capture and retain rainwater during wet seasons and employ it during the dry growing seasons, rather than to depend on the dwindling availability of water from rivers, natural lakes, or even wells that draw from local aquifers.
This 40 acre irrigation pond was installed by the BTL team in only four days! This wide-angle photograph gives you an idea of the size of the project. BTL’s ability to fabricate the largest single panels in the industry permits fast installation and fewer seams, which mean fewer risks of leaks in the future!
Because this reservoir will be used for irrigation, water levels are expected to fluctuate substantially throughout the year, repeatedly baring the liner as the lake is drained. This means the liner will be exposed to oxygen and UV radiation, both of which break down polymers and can eventually cause a liner to become brittle. Brittle liners are subject to tears, punctures and other mechanical damage. In response to the growing need to accommodate severe conditions such as these, BTL has introduced an industry first—a unique reinforced polyethylene laminate with an additional 6mil coating of UV inhibitors on one side, which allows us to offer a full 20 year UV warranty—unheard of in the industry. Indeed, as the unique properties of our RPEL-30 liner become known, we expect that it will become the de facto liner of choice in projects like this.
Since the liner will be completely exposed from time to time, we recognize that it may be subject to high winds, which could dislodge or damage it. In response, we installed ballast liners and sand-filled tubes arrayed from the edges of the irrigation pond to the center to anchor it to the liner. Our experience and expertise with thousands of projects like this allow us to predict and proactively respond to the unique challenges of any given site.
At BTL Liners, we are proud to maintain the highest standards of customer service, speed of delivery and uncompromising quality, even as we continue to invest in innovative materials and solutions to meet our clients’ needs. In fact, for over 30 years, BTL™ has designed, fabricated and constructed the most durable, dependable custom containment systems in the world—protecting our planet’s most valuable natural resources! For more information or to consult directly with one of our experts about the demands of your project, contact us today at 541-447-0712 or online at www.btlliners.com.
This aerial photograph with completed liner shows the surrounding farmland which will be supported by the irrigation reservoir. The increasing risk of drought, coupled by rising demands for water from consumers, industry and agriculture, means water-retention projects like these are now becoming a necessity.
BTL’s Record Breaking Irrigation Reservoir
Liners by BTL
