There are four key things that a flexible liner should offer you in order to keep the pond leak-free and durable over the course of its life. The first is UV resistance. Because brine ponds are typically situated in warm, sunny locales to better facilitate evaporation, these ponds see high UV exposures over the course of their lifespan. PVC and similar materials degrade quickly with UV exposure, which is why reinforced polyethylene makes a better choice as a liner. Chemical and corrosion protection is another factor to consider. Brines are highly caustic, which means the material needs to be able to stand up to harsh chemicals without breaking down.
If you will ever need to put a sealed cover on the pond, then consider a liner that allows you to purchase a matching cover. The seam sealing process—either with solvents or heat—is much easier when the materials match. Last of all, mechanical damage is a major concern in brine ponds. That’s because if you’re harvesting salt or other solids, machinery can damage the water. Whatever lining system you choose, it should be designed with this in mind.
