NEW POND LINER COMES WITH 20-YEAR GUARANTEE

Above: The new effluent system lined by Viking Containment.

WHEN CANTERBURY DAIRY farmers Nigel and Amy Rutherford of Malbon Dairy Farm chose to upgrade their clay-lined effluent storage pond, they chose Viking Containment to provide advice and the right product. Increased storage capacity and compliance were the key drivers for the pond design, and it also provided a contingency for possible future expansion.

The previous storage was only 4-5 days, but their new High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-lined pond has increased their capacity to 1800m³, providing 20-25 days storage.

Nigel is very happy with the outcome. “In some recent wet weather where the soil capacity was at its maximum, I didn’t have to worry about effluent management issues – it makes the whole operation very efficient and much easier,” he says.

The extra storage capacity allows them to put more time and focus into animal health and pasture.

The new pond construction involved removal of the existing pond so it was programmed to be completed in the offseason. Earthworks were completed by Roy Hill Construction to a high standard.

The excavated pond was 40m x 40m x 3.5m depth with a 2H:1V slope gradient and a 500mm freeboard. The liner system consisted of 1.5mm HDPE Liner, Geotextile protection layer over the subgrade surface, Viking Gas Venting system and Geoladders for safe egress in and out of the pond. The 1.5mm HDPE liner comes in 8.0m wide panels which allows efficient deployment and installation, and was completed in one day. All the seam welding and testing was documented in a comprehensive Quality Assurance Report.

For peace of mind and assurance Viking’s HDPE liner also has a 20-year product warranty.