Working with someone who has a small agricultural pond that experiences water leakage around where the vertical walls of the concrete outlet structure meet the earthen / grass side slopes of the pond. When the pond is drained, you can see small crevices / cracks / holes / macropores along and around this edge…there is also some woody vegetation that tries to grow here. They control and remove the woody vegetation but it has probably opened up some drainage paths via root action.
Based on various field investigations, we are quite confident we have identified the main locations of the leaking. (I can go into other possible leakage sources we’ve investigated and why we’ve ruled them out, if needed. The pond has a bentonite liner that appears to be functioning well) The pond leaks at up to 50 gallons per minute which is not acceptable in the long run. (there is no natural inflow into the pond, this is a small pond and so they have to replenish the lost water on a regular basis)
Now we are looking at remedial options. We are looking at options that involve a pretty intensive reconstruction or repair of the outlet structure, installing cutoff walls and other options. But given that we are pretty confident that the leaking area is limited in size (probably about 10 linear feet on either side of the outlet structure wall), the client would like to try a phased approach, and investigate lower cost alternatives for trying to plug these leaks from the surface, without extensive excavation.
So I’m looking for fixes that could be poured or injected to try to plug these leaks. The client is willing to consider these, even if it is a short term fix that lasts for a year or two while they budget to do a more extensive outlet repair. I’m looking at things like a bentonite slurry or injection, or urethanes and resins such as Prime Flex or Uretek, or other chemical grouts.
Any thoughts on approaches? I think some of these products are usually used to seal concrete cracks..not sure how they would work in a soil matrix. Also wondering what would be best right along the concrete / soil interface. The pond is drained at least once a year, so I’m worried about the seal cracking / pulling away from the concrete wall when it dries.
Thanks for any advice you have.
Based on various field investigations, we are quite confident we have identified the main locations of the leaking. (I can go into other possible leakage sources we’ve investigated and why we’ve ruled them out, if needed. The pond has a bentonite liner that appears to be functioning well) The pond leaks at up to 50 gallons per minute which is not acceptable in the long run. (there is no natural inflow into the pond, this is a small pond and so they have to replenish the lost water on a regular basis)
Now we are looking at remedial options. We are looking at options that involve a pretty intensive reconstruction or repair of the outlet structure, installing cutoff walls and other options. But given that we are pretty confident that the leaking area is limited in size (probably about 10 linear feet on either side of the outlet structure wall), the client would like to try a phased approach, and investigate lower cost alternatives for trying to plug these leaks from the surface, without extensive excavation.
So I’m looking for fixes that could be poured or injected to try to plug these leaks. The client is willing to consider these, even if it is a short term fix that lasts for a year or two while they budget to do a more extensive outlet repair. I’m looking at things like a bentonite slurry or injection, or urethanes and resins such as Prime Flex or Uretek, or other chemical grouts.
Any thoughts on approaches? I think some of these products are usually used to seal concrete cracks..not sure how they would work in a soil matrix. Also wondering what would be best right along the concrete / soil interface. The pond is drained at least once a year, so I’m worried about the seal cracking / pulling away from the concrete wall when it dries.
Thanks for any advice you have.