Some types of wastewater, like acidic mining and infectious medical waste, are particularly challenging to contain, and covers are no different. Containment failures due to unauthorized access, spills, leaks, or poor management of produced gases are likely to be devastating, not only in terms of direct expense but in environmental and reputational damage. These risks make it essential to choose a geomembrane that can take on the challenges of containing corrosive and damaging liquid even in the most challenging situations. Here are some crucial elements in wastewater applications to keep at the top of your mind when you're considering your options.
UV Resistance
UV protection is perhaps the most urgent need for any cover exposed to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, ozone, and other environmental conditions. UV rays weaken the bonds between particles in the geomembrane, increasing brittleness and encouraging stretching and tears. Choosing a cover with built-in UV protection is essential because this degradation directly impacts the product's service life. Since floating covers are 100% exposed to sunlight, you'll need a product rated for exposed installation. For example, BTL's AquaArmor PP - 45 and AquaArmor XR - 3 PW are available in formulations guaranteed for 20 years or more of exposed use.
Impermeability
Impermeability is a critical feature for covers used to contain hazardous materials. Even if you and your team don't think of water mixed with a bit of salt or soap as particularly dangerous, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) probably has other ideas. They base their classification of "hazardous" or "non-hazardous" on potential risks to humans, animal life, plant life, and the environment. Even "ordinary" contamination can turn wastewater from relatively benign to hazardous for fish and plant life.
Evaporation
Some alternatives to floating geomembranes are simply unable to offer total control over evaporation or rainwater entering the pond. Floating ballast balls and panels only provide limited evaporation control and do nothing to stop water from flowing into the pond and increasing the volume to dangerous levels. Don't confuse impermeable and permeable covers. Only a solid material like a geomembrane can stop gases and liquids from passing in or out of the storage pond.
Durability
Make sure to use a high-quality, reinforced geomembrane material, especially when working on a large-scale floating cover. Flexible covers are readily fabricated to fit irregularly shaped containers and lagoons, but excessive stretching in non-reinforced geomembranes can make them prone to wrinkling, tears, and stress-cracking. Covers with an additional woven reinforcement layer are resistant to stretching and wrinkles. This addition creates a final product that's highly durable but retains the critical impermeability needed for wastewater applications.
BTL Liners offers a range of geomembrane products, from time-tested to new and exciting, that offer flexibility, durability, chemical resistance, and ease of use.
Chemical Resistance
Chemical resistance enhances the durability and lifespan of the geomembrane, which is essential for wastewater disposal, ore processing, municipal water systems, and more. Chemical and corrosion-resistant covers help ensure reliable performance where environmental protection is a concern, prevent deterioration, and increase the cover's lifespan. This durability is essential in areas subject to excessive rainfall and flooding, where escaping wastewater will likely infiltrate local waterways.
