[metaslider id=43685]
A slideshow of whales in geomembrane lining systems. When gas gets under a geomembrane, bubbles–or, “whales”–can form. A number of reasons may be responsible, such as installation damage, poor seaming, or a lack of appropriate construction quality assurance (CQA) measures like liner integrity surveys.
Whales can impact wastewater facilities, manure lagoons, effluent ponds, and other lined installations.
The occurrence of whales in a lining system is rare. BUT: They can be extremely expensive to correct. Proper design, installation, and CQA should always be used.
RESOURCES FOR “WHALE” PREVENTION
- Article: “A Primer for HDPE Geomembrane Liners in Wastewater Lagoons – Avoiding Whales” by Ian D. Peggs
- GSI White Paper #15: “Survey of U.S. State Regulations on Allowable Leakage Rates in Liquid Impoundments and Wastewater Ponds“
- Webinar: “Whales and Their Prevention in Geomembrane Lining Systems” (Geo-U.com)
Great read thanks for the advice, I have been asked to fix this very problem in Victoria, Australia.
Thank you, Troy. If you ever have any site photos (problems or solutions) that you might share, please do. We welcome contributions from the global field. Cheers.