Many commercial pond liners are marketed as being compatible with potable drinking water supplies or agricultural uses. However, you can’t take these claims at face value. You’ll need to do a little extra investigation into the material used for the flexible liner. Check for certain types of testing and certification as well, to verify the liners you’re ordering meet your project’s requirements. Knowing what to look for when shopping around for the best deal on pond liners will help you realize why BTL Liners is the best source for materials.
Materials Available for Flexible Liners
Not all pond liners are safe for using with potable groundwater supplies. PVC, in particular, often contains plasticizing chemicals that aren’t approved for long-term consumption by humans or animals. This is because the formulas used for flexible liners aren’t always the same as those used for potable water plumbing pipes made from PVC. For a reliable liner material that is easy to find in a potable water formula, stick to multi-layered RPE. This material is highly flexible without the same chemicals required to help PVC bend around curves and corners.
Reasons to Avoid Clay and Concrete Liners
Clay and concrete may both sound like reasonable alternatives to flexible plastic liners. Clay in particular, sounds easy to spread over the surface of the pond. However, it tends to require just as much labor as plastic liner while providing a far less reliable seal. Clay is also expensive due to the need for anywhere from 8 to 18 inches of bentonite clay over every square foot of the pond. Concrete is porous in its natural state, allowing water to slowly escape from the pond through the capillary effect. Sealants have limited lifespans and don’t always meet potable water or irrigation safety regulations. Flexible pond liners work better than either of these two options and typically cost less as well.
Testing and Certification from the NSF
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) provides advanced testing services and certification to ensure that certain materials are safe to use with potable water supplies. Without this testing, it would be possible for many different toxins and chemicals to leach out of various materials used for storing and transporting drinking water. Various NSF certification levels are available, but potable and irrigation water ponds require anywhere from NSF 58 to 61 rated liners at the minimum.
Reinforced vs. Non-Reinforced Materials
Stick with reinforced liners whenever they’re available in the right material for your project. Since multi-layered RPE offers a wide range of compatibility for many different uses, it’s a good choice. Reinforced pond liners include a fiber-based mesh that’s embedded in the liner as it’s formed in the factory. This makes the liner far more resistant to tear and cracking damage over time to reduce maintenance and replacement costs.
BTL Liners has products that are NSF certified, safe to use for any irrigation or potable water purpose, and durable enough to last for decades. Whether you need AquaArmor or ArmorPro for your project, we’ll help you with a custom quote and advice on installation when you contact our friendly team.
