If you have old, existing, produced water pits, you may wonder how much work and investment it would take to get them running again. Since regulations for safe wastewater storage changes every few years, it’s likely that your state has enacted stricter laws since the last time an older pit was used. Updating existing ponds and pits is a great way to expand storage and processing opportunities without having to spend quite as much on capital improvements. Consider if a particular produced water pit is worth the effort to renovate with these tips and tricks.
Removing Existing Liners
First, figure out if you’ll need to remove the existing liner or can simply put the new liner in place. If the old liner is intact but developed pinhole or seam leaks, it’s likely acceptable to cover it with a new layer with no extra work. You’ll need to clean away any sludge and debris that’s accumulated in the pit, but there’s not necessarily a need to remove a stable liner. If the liner has shifted, torn open, or developed bubbles that float to the surface, it needs removal before new materials go into place. Any large openings and voids under the surface also need repair before new liners are added. Problems can telegraph from one layer of liner to the next, so stabilize the base before attempting to line and fill the pit again.
Grading and Preparing the Surface
Don’t be afraid to remove the old liner and re-grade the entire surface if necessary. When most of the excavation and shaping work has already been done, re-doing the surface and banks isn’t such a major expense. This can expand or fix a pit that had issues with overtopping its banks or eroding and collapsing in on itself. Just don’t expect to be able to undertake these kinds of repairs without removing any existing layers of liner.
Reinforcing Loose Soil and Silt
If the soil under the liner is particularly loose and unstable, it may be necessary to add a layer of clay or geogrid to stabilize it. Spraying on certain polymer products can also improve the engineering characteristics of the soil so it will stop leaving the liner unsupported. This is a major cause of tears and rips, especially when you can visually see the void that formed under the surface.
Lining Tanks and Concrete Lined Pits
It’s possible to use flexible liners to repair produced water tanks and concrete pits as well. Make sure the liner material is compatible with this use and stick with reinforced materials that are flexible to bend tightly in the edges and corners. Spray-on liners can be easily applied in these cases, but they’re harder to test for leaks and don’t last nearly as long.
Expanding Treatment Options
If you don’t need your older wastewater ponds just for storage anymore, consider transforming them into advanced treatment plants instead. Trying new and unusual treatment methods is usually a major investment, but it’s only a minor cost when you’re reusing existing ponds and pits. The cost of a new liner and some compatible equipment, could be all you need to discover a new treatment option that is surprisingly effective for your particular produced water mixture.
Don’t let older wastewater holding ponds stand around empty and pose a safety hazard. Seal them again with the addition of a new liner from BTL Liners. Once they’re holding liquid properly and meeting the latest version of the safety codes, you’ll be ready to find plenty of new uses for the extra storage space.
