Dam liners are thick sheets used to cover separate water harvested underground. This article explains in detail about the dam liners. Dam liners reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation and sipping by harvesting underground water. In addition, they prevent water contamination to and from the dam.
However, dam liners can only harvest water where the soil is permeable. Harvested water can be stored for future reference. The thickness ranges between 0.5mm to 1.0mm. Dam liners can last over 30 years if suitable materials and procedures are used.
Dam liners in Kenya
Purchasing a high-quality dam liner ought to be the best decision for every buyer. This article can be of great value to every buyer.
Installation of a Dam Liner
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Dam excavation
Excavation can not only be done by hand but also through the use of machines. During this process, side walls are leveled in a particular outline to prevent the dam from collapsing. The expense of digging a dam varies with the kind of soil. Soft soil tends to be cheaper than rocks and murrams requiring machines.
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Dam smoothening
This practice is done to remove sharp objects to avoid damaging dam liners. Water can also be poured into the sides and floor to smoothen it.
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Trench making
These trenches surround the dam. The trench size depends on the dam size and the thickness of the dam liner.
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Installation of the dam liner
The first thing to be done before installation is a deep inspection of the dam liner in case of any leakages. A dam liner will be inserted into the reservoir and should have a space allowance. The allowance is placed inside the trench. It should be covered by soil. An overflow and an inlet should be installed during the installation process.
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Filling the dam
After installation, the dam is filled with water and is harvested ready for irrigation and other purposes.
Factors to Consider while Buying Dam Liners
Due to the increased population, there has been an increased level of industrialization. This has made it challenging to find the best dam liner for the project. However, below are the factors to consider while buying dam liners.
The thickness of the dam liner
Different dam liners vary in their thickness. Below is the thickness guidance,
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500 microns dam liners
It works from 10m³ to as high as 3000m³ medium irrigation water storage.
It works on smooth-to-moderately rough surfaces.
Using it on murram surfaces is also advisable as long as it is smoothened.
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750 microns dam liners
It’s used for slightly bigger projects.
It can withstand murram surfaces and rough surfaces.
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1000 microns dam liners
It is used to hold large water volumes.
Using it on very rough surfaces and large dams is advisable.
Type of dam liner used
This is an essential factor that should be kept in consideration. There are three types of dam liners, HDPE, PVC, and LLDPE. The high-quality dam liner is HDPE with excellent UV. It is also weather resistant and long-lasting. PVC dam liners are easy to install and deliver. In addition, they’re soft and light.
Moreover, they need to be more stable and cannot be relied on for long-term projects. LLDPE dam liners are easy to install and are soft, but they are fragile.
UV Treatment
All dam liners with UV should be treated accordingly. This is to improve their longevity and their quality. Dam liners should last for a duration of 15 to 30 years.
Dam Liner Material
Dam liners should be made of unrecycled materials. This is to avoid puncturing and abrasion. Recycled materials have a short lifespan and are prone to damage; hence not advisable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best dam liner has many advantages compared to low-quality dam liners. We are looking forward to hearing our customer’s feedback and reviews.
