Geomembrane Liners
PVC Geomembrane Dam & Reservoir Liner - 550 / 700 / 800 g/m²
Polyester-scrim reinforced PVC geomembrane in three grades from 550 to 800 g/m². For farm dams, irrigation reservoirs, aquaculture ponds and industrial water containment. Supplied in 3 m × 50 m rolls across 30+ African countries.
Overview
Reinforced PVC geomembranes are polyester-scrim-backed flexible liners combining a UV-stabilised PVC formulation with an internal high-tenacity polyester scrim. The scrim gives dimensional stability, tear resistance and tensile performance well beyond unreinforced PVC - the properties that matter in exposed dam and reservoir work, where wind uplift, hydrostatic pressure and subgrade irregularity are the governing design conditions.
Three grades cover the range. The 550 g/m² grade at 1,000 N/50 mm suits small to medium agricultural dams, farm ponds and temporary containment where the subgrade is well prepared and mechanical demand is low, with a 5 to 10 year service life. The 700 g/m² grade at 1,600 N/50 mm is the most commonly specified for general farm dam lining, balancing cost against a 10 to 15 year life. The 800 g/m² grade at 2,000 N/50 mm gives improved puncture resistance and dimensional stability under hydrostatic load and wind uplift on large unsupported spans, with a 15 year plus service life.
PVC is the cost-efficient specification for agricultural dams, irrigation storage, aquaculture ponds and community water projects where HDPE's chemical resistance ceiling is not required. Its flexibility and conformance to irregular earthen substrates make it practical on the shapes farm dams actually take. It is more susceptible to puncture than HDPE, so a needle-punched geotextile protection layer is recommended wherever subgrade particle size presents a risk. For drinking water storage, specify the 720 g/m² potable certified grade.
All grades are hot-air welded with single or double-track seams, tested by air-lance or vacuum box before covering or filling. Supplied for field welding or as prefabricated panels to reduce field seam count.
- MaterialUV-stabilised PVC with polyester scrim reinforcement
- StructureScrim-reinforced flexible sheet, 550–800 g/m²
- ColourBlack, blue (grade dependent)
- StandardISO 9001 · SANS 1545
- Roll Width3 m wide
- Roll Length50 m per roll (150 m² per roll)
Typical Properties
| Property | R-PVC550 | R-PVC700 | R-PVC720P | R-PVC800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 550 g/m² | 700 g/m² | 720 g/m² | 800 g/m² |
| Reinforcement | Polyester scrim | Polyester scrim | Polyester scrim | Polyester scrim |
| UV Stabilised | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Potable Water Approved | No | No | Yes | No |
| Temperature Range | -30°C to 60°C | -30°C to 60°C | -30°C to 60°C | -30°C to 60°C |
| Seam Method | Hot-air weld | Hot-air weld | Hot-air weld | Hot-air weld |
| Tensile Strength (N/50mm) | 1000 | 1600 | 1600 | 2000 |
| Thickness | ±0.6 mm | ±0.72 mm | ±0.75 mm | ±0.85 mm |
| Service Life | 5–10 yrs | 10–15 yrs | 10–15 yrs | 15+ yrs |
| Colour Options | Black, Blue | Black, Blue | Blue, White | Black |
Note: The above specifications represent the product family properties. Please refer to the product datasheet for individual SKU values.
Typical Applications
View all applicationsMining Systems
PVC geomembranes are suitable for process water storage ponds and mine water management reservoirs where chemical compatibility with PVC has been confirmed. Not recommended for primary containment of acidic process solutions, heap leach pads or TSF base liners - HDPE is the governing specification for those applications. Chemical compatibility must be verified against the specific fluid before specification.
Water Containment
The primary PVC application. Specified for farm dams, irrigation storage reservoirs, aquaculture ponds, community water storage and municipal infrastructure. The 720gsm potable water certified grade is the specified product for drinking water storage. Cost-competitive and well-proven across South African agricultural and civil water containment projects.
Waste & Landfills
Reinforced PVC may be suitable for leachate holding ponds and wastewater lagoons where fluid chemistry falls within PVC's resistance envelope and UV exposure is a primary design condition. Chemical compatibility must be confirmed against the specific leachate or effluent profile before specification - contact our technical team.
Compatible Systems
View all systems550gsm Reinforced PVC
Entry-level reinforced grade for small to medium agricultural dams, farm ponds, irrigation storage and temporary containment. Cost-efficient specification where subgrade is well-prepared and mechanical demand is low. Not recommended for large exposed reservoirs or high-stress applications.
700gsm Reinforced PVC
Mid-weight grade balancing cost and performance for standard irrigation reservoirs, aquaculture ponds and mid-sized agricultural dams. Improved tear and tensile performance over 550gsm - the most commonly specified grade for general farm dam lining across South Africa
720gsm Reinforced PVC - Potable Water Certified
Food-grade PVC formulation certified for direct potable water contact. Specified for municipal water storage, community reservoirs and drinking water infrastructure where liner chemistry compliance is a regulatory requirement. Same structural performance as the 700gsm grade with a verified potable-safe formulation.
800gsm Reinforced PVC
Heavy-duty grade for large-scale agricultural schemes, commercial irrigation reservoirs and moderate industrial water containment. Higher mass-per-unit-area delivers improved puncture resistance and dimensional stability under hydrostatic load and wind uplift on large unsupported spans.
Installation Guidance
Standard Method Statement
Subgrade preparation for reinforced PVC follows the same fundamentals as all geomembrane installations: the substrate must be smooth, compacted, and free of protrusions, roots, sharp stones and standing water before liner deployment. A needle-punched geotextile protection layer is recommended between the subgrade and PVC membrane on earthen embankments where subgrade particle size or construction conditions present a puncture risk - PVC is more susceptible to puncture than HDPE and subgrade quality directly affects liner service life.
Field seams are made using hot-air welding equipment producing either single or double-track welds. All field seams must be tested — typically by air-lance or vacuum-box method - before the liner is covered or water is introduced. Where large panel fabrication has been completed in factory conditions, field seam frequency is reduced and installation time shortened. All pipe penetrations and fittings must be sealed using compatible PVC flashing and welded connections - mechanical fastening alone is not acceptable for water-retaining applications.
Quality Assurance & Testing
Field QA/QC Checklist
- Subgrade Acceptance: Subgrade signed off before deployment: smooth, compacted, free of stones, roots and protrusions, and no standing water or desiccation cracks.
- Material Conformance: Roll certificates checked against ASTM D7176 (PVC geomembranes) and the project specification.
- Trial Seams: Trial seams (hot wedge, hot air or solvent, as specified) made and tested each shift before production seaming.
- Non-Destructive Seam Testing: 100% of seams tested by air channel, air lance or vacuum box as appropriate to the seam type (ASTM D4437).
- Destructive Seam Testing: Seam samples tested in shear and peel (ASTM D6392) at the frequency in the CQA plan.
- Cover & Protection: Liner covered or protected promptly where specified; no traffic directly on the liner.
Manufacturing Standards
- ASTM D7176 PVC geomembrane specification
- ASTM D4437 non-destructive seam testing
- ASTM D6392 seam strength testing
- Manufacturer QC certificates per roll
- ISO 9001 · SANS 1545
Documents
Product Selection Guide
Compare performance properties across the entire category hierarchy before specifying.
Installation & Method Statement
Standard deployment procedures, installation specifications, and field application method statements.
QA/QC Site Checklist
Field quality control procedures, inspection checklists, and testing standards to verify installation integrity.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Guaranteed minimum average roll values (MARV) and material testing properties.
Chemical Resistance / Accessories Guide
Chemical compatibility matrix and list of auxiliary materials needed for installation.
Projects Using PVC Geomembrane Dam & Reservoir Liner - 550 / 700 / 800 g/m²
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