If you’re considering building a brine pond, there are a variety of costs to consider that will each factor into the final cost of the project. To start, you’ll need to consider the size of the pond since larger ponds will cost more in terms of excavation, maintenance, processing methods, liner costs, and more. Next comes the excavation costs, which could be more or less depending on size and on the pond’s location. Liners for the pond will be a major cost—you will need a liner capable of standing up to brine while protecting surrounding ecosystems and aquifers from contamination. Land investments and permitting are costs that will be necessary, and these will vary depending on the location in which you choose to build.
Other costs that are sometimes overlooked include evaporation rates due to the local climate, brine volume and concentration, and any equipment for detecting leaks, harvesting salt, or speeding the evaporation process. Slower evaporation rates can make the pond’s operating costs more expensive. Brines with higher concentrations of salt or other components prove much more toxic than brines with lower concentrations—and that means you’ll need to take increased precautions to prevent leaks. Leak detection equipment will be a necessity to solve leaks when they do happen, and equipment to harvest salt will be needed once the evaporation process is complete. Lastly, equipment like evaporative membranes or other devices to speed evaporation are an optional cost, but one that can make a brine pond more profitable in the long term.
