To ensure your pond liner doesn’t harm local groundwater, select materials that are specifically designed to be non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Specifically, the pond liner should not leach harmful chemicals into the water, which can significantly affect surrounding ecosystems on many levels, including disrupting reproduction cycles, causing developmental abnormalities and weakening immune systems in wildlife populations.
Among the most popular pond liner materials, PVC is rarely certified for potable water, since it often contains plasticizers and other additives that can leach into the water, which is not permitted under potable water standards. Similarly, while EPDM is typically advertised as fish safe, it doesn't meet ANSI/NSF 61 standards for human consumption. In fact, RPE is the only pond liner material with this level of certification. For the highest level of confidence, look for materials certified as ANSI/NSF 61 compliant.
