Technical Advantages

Clays and sodium bentonite in particular have long been recognized as effective materials for sealing or lining basins and other areas with direct exposure to water due to their low-permeability and relative erosion resistance. However, the challenges associated with handling these materials - particularly through a standing water column - can often limit construction and repair options

If you have ever poured pure powdered bentonite into water, then you have witnessed the clouds of dust and watched helplessly as the majority of the material simply dissipates with wind and wave action (rather than sinking to the bottom where it was intended to go). If you have ever attempted to uniformly mix raw bentonite into native soil in a traditional "blend and compact" application, then you have experienced the challenge of consistent coverage and even blending

PONDSEAL has the density (weight) to stay where it is placed. Through water it literally "sinks like a stone." Due to its stone and clay construction, it is also essentially "pre-blended" to form a uniform and durable sealant layer –without the need for soil blending or compaction.

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So, what has pond managers, water resource professionals, construction contractors, engineers, and pond owners themselves so interested in this novel approach to preventing and repairing leaking waterways? There are many responses to this question:

• PONDSEAL offers both reliable delivery to a target site and the density to "self-compact" (adding structural integrity), unlike with other bentonite-based alternatives (powders, chips, pellets)
• PONDSEAL is made from the same high quality Wyoming sodium bentonite used in landfills and other demanding sealing applications
• PONDSEAL is highly durable; it will gradually dry when exposed to the atmosphere for prolonged periods, but will re-hydrate and "self-heal" an infinite number of times as water levels fluctuate (or if the material is punctured or cut)
• PONDSEAL is erosion-resistant and can be further fortified using a surface dressing of stone or gravel (especially in areas of high velocity – e.g. direct exposure to sustained currents, prop wash, etc.)
• PONDSEAL withstands repeated freeze/thaw cycles (unlike many native clays) and will not "liquefy" during seismic events
• PONDSEAL is made completely of natural materials and is non-toxic to a waterway's ecology (including its fish)

Additionally, PONDSEAL takes on the appearance and characteristics of clay-based native substrate (especially as fresh deposits of sediment accumulate on the sealant layer). The product can be installed either by hand (directly from original packaging), or for larger areas, from bulk storage bags – using a wide range of standard construction equipment (e.g. front end loaders, stone slingers, conveyors, and other readily available application methods).

Despite its significant technical advantages, PONDSEAL pricing is similar to equivalent bentonite alternatives and can also be very competitive with non-bentonite options. As a cautionary note, please keep in mind that NOT ALL BENTONITE IS CREATED EQUAL, and as with most things, quality impacts performance.

PONDSEAL material costs are volume-driven. Freight must also be taken into consideration. However, it is important to compare "apples to apples" when considering construction and/or repair alternatives. Even though local clay may be "free" from a materials perspective, associated expenses should be taken into consideration - i.e. labor to access the material, trucking costs to move the material, labor costs to reapply and properly compact the material (assuming that proper compaction can be achieved). It is important to consider not just material price but the overall (i.e. installed) project cost. After all "time is money."

Suggested application rates and specific pricing for your individual circumstances can be made available upon request.

ASIDE: AquaBlok®, PONDSEAL's "parent" product, has undergone extensive evaluation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) for use in the capping (i.e. isolation) of contaminated sediments. Projects have successfully been implemented through the U.S. and Canada (and beyond) since 1994. The superior sealing qualities and reliable delivery of AquaBlok and its family of products have proven to surpass alternatives, providing improved ease of implementation and lower project costs.