IRRIGATION LINERS

Protecting Groundwater in California

carsonliners · May 5, 2025 ·

The Role Geomembrane Liners Play in Sustainable Water Management

California’s unique climate and growing demand for water make protecting groundwater a top priority. Geomembrane liners play a vital role in sustainable water management by preventing contamination, conserving resources, and supporting infrastructure resilience. In this blog, we’ll explore how these high-quality liners contribute to safeguarding California’s water supply, and ensuring a sustainable future for the state’s residents and environment.

The Challenge of Groundwater Management in California

Groundwater is the backbone of Sonoma County’s municipalities, small public water systems, rural residential communities and agriculture, supplying nearly 40% of California’s water in typical years—and as much as 60% during droughts. For Sonoma County’s thriving vineyards, dairy farms and local businesses, this resource isn’t just essential; it’s irreplaceable. The Petaluma Valley, Santa Rosa Plain, and Sonoma Valley sub-basins provide the lifeblood for irrigation, municipal needs and rural communities.

But the cracks are showing—literally. In the Sonoma Valley’s deep aquifer system, groundwater levels are declining, signaling a long-term problem that cannot be ignored. With climate change intensifying droughts and triggering sporadic heavy rainfall, effective groundwater management is more important than ever. Local agencies, like the Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, are rising to the occasion with innovative solutions such as groundwater recharge projects and water recycling programs (Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Plan). However, these ambitious efforts hinge on one critical factor: reliable, high-quality infrastructure.

This is where Carson Liners plays a pivotal role. By providing top-tier geomembranes and containment liners, they ensure these projects succeed, protecting and optimizing the very resource that sustains Sonoma County’s vibrant agricultural and industrial economy.

Setting the Standard for Quality and Durability

Carson Liners specializes in manufacturing high-quality geomembranes and containment liners designed to meet the rigorous demands of water and waste management. Our products are essential for:

Groundwater Recharge Projects
High-grade geomembranes ensure water is safely stored and transported without leakage or contamination. These liners are critical for replenishing aquifers and maintaining water levels in drought-prone areas.

Agricultural Water Storage
Carson’s durable water tank liners help farmers store water efficiently, even under California’s fluctuating weather conditions.

Industrial and Winery Containment
Our plating and containment liners offer robust solutions for industries needing to safeguard against spills and leaks, protecting nearby water sources. Wineries, which generate wastewater during the winemaking process, rely on our high-quality liners to safely contain and manage waste while meeting environmental standards.

Adapting to California’s Weather Challenges

California’s climate extremes demand resilient infrastructure. Prolonged droughts lead to increased dependence on groundwater, while sudden downpours risk overwhelming water systems. Poor-quality liners can fail under such conditions, leading to costly repairs, water loss and environmental damage.

At Carson Liners, our products are engineered to excel in these challenging environments. Our geomembranes are UV-resistant, preventing degradation under intense sunlight. Our water tank liners are designed for thermal stability, ensuring performance in both scorching summers and cooler months. These features make us a trusted partner for groundwater sustainability projects across the state.

Collaborating with Groundwater Agencies for Sustainable Solutions

Groundwater management is a collaborative effort, and counties like Sonoma rely on innovative approaches to safeguard this vital resource. Organizations such as the Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies are leading the way with projects aimed at securing water resources for future generations. Carson Liners plays a supportive role in these efforts by offering materials and expertise tailored to address the unique challenges of groundwater management:

Groundwater Recharge
Liners used in recharge basins help prevent seepage, ensuring water remains in aquifers to support local ecosystems and agricultural needs.

Water Conservation
Our materials enable projects focused on minimizing water loss, promoting efficient storage solutions, and supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Industrial and Winery Waste Containment
Industries and wineries can mitigate environmental risks by utilizing advanced containment solutions that safely manage waste and protect groundwater resources.

These partnerships underscore the importance of integrating reliable infrastructure into groundwater management plans. By collaborating with agencies and local stakeholders, Carson Liners contributes to creating solutions that balance the demands of agriculture, industry, and environmental preservation.

For more information on the importance of quality fabrication in liner manufacturing, speak to one of our experts. Fill out the form below or email us at sales@carsonliners.com.

Why Quality Fabrication Matters in Liner Manufacturing

carsonliners · November 8, 2024 ·

In the highly competitive field of liner manufacturing, ensuring quality liner fabrication is more than a luxury—it is critical to success, particularly in regions with extreme climates like California. Known for its fluctuating and often severe weather conditions, the state faces everything from scorching heatwaves to sudden, intense rainfall. These environmental factors pose significant challenges for industries reliant on containment solutions.

At Carson Liners, we utilize reinforced polypropylene (RPP) and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) because these materials provide excellent resistance to UV exposure, chemicals, and environmental wear. This ensures our liners, whether used in geomembranes, water tank liners, or containment systems, can withstand the harsh demands of environmental protection and waste management, agriculture and aquaculture, water management, industrial and chemical processing, and construction industries without frequent failures or maintenance. Our commitment to quality liner fabrication is evident in every product we deliver.

For businesses operating in these industries, using high-quality liners is essential to ensure resilience and longevity. Poorly fabricated liners are more prone to degradation, leading to costly leaks and system failures, which can have environmental and financial consequences, particularly in California’s stringent regulatory environment. This is where we step in, offering premium liners and expertise to withstand the state’s unique climate and operational challenges.

Geomembranes, for example, are often used in landfills and wastewater treatment plants. At Carson Liners, we ensure these geomembranes offer superior tensile strength, essential for withstanding California’s heat and UV exposure. For water tank liners, which are crucial in agriculture and water conservation, our RPP and CSPE materials ensure excellent resistance to chemicals and UV degradation, protecting water quality while maintaining long-term durability.

When it comes to plating and containment liners used in industrial environments, it’s crucial that they can handle exposure to harsh chemicals without breaking down. We use materials that resist corrosive substances and harsh chemicals while providing reliable performance in extreme weather conditions. The durability and flexibility of our liners prevent costly leaks and reduce the risk of environmental contamination.

Enhanced Durability and Longevity

We employ premium-grade materials in our fabrication processes to ensure that our liners can withstand California’s harsh weather conditions. Our approach to quality liner fabrication guarantees that our products, including geomembranes and containment liners, are engineered to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and preventing environmental hazards from leaks or system failures.

Superior Sealing Capabilities

Superior sealing is essential for preventing leaks in both water tank liners and containment systems. We use advanced welding technology to strengthen seam integrity, ensuring our liners can withstand fluctuating temperatures and heavy water loads without compromising their structure. By focusing on both high-quality materials and cutting-edge fabrication techniques, we guarantee that even the weakest points—seams—remain robust and durable, effectively preventing leaks under pressure or during extreme weather conditions. This attention to detail enhances the overall reliability of our liners.

The Impact of California’s Weather on Liners

California’s weather is characterized by hot, dry summers and wet winters, with varying conditions across the state. Regions like the Central Valley experience intense heat, often surpassing 100°F, which can cause liners made from subpar materials to degrade rapidly. Meanwhile, coastal areas face frequent temperature fluctuations and exposure to salty, humid air, accelerating wear and tear on containment liners.

Heat Degradation

According to the California Department of Water Resources, temperatures in the Central Valley can average over 90°F for extended periods, causing low-quality liners to crack, warp, or fail prematurely.

UV Exposure

California ranks as one of the sunniest states, with an average of 284 sunny days per year. Prolonged UV exposure can break down the polymers in inferior liners, leading to leaks and environmental hazards.

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding

In the winter months, areas like Northern California can see heavy rainfall, with records of up to 27 inches annually in some regions. This influx of water can overwhelm poorly fabricated liners, causing breaches that result in costly environmental cleanups and operational downtime.

California’s agricultural and industrial operations often expose liners to chemicals and high UV radiation. We use additives that enhance UV resistance, ensuring our liners don’t degrade over time. Our RPP and CSPE ensure the liners resist chemicals commonly found in agricultural runoff and industrial waste, preventing costly environmental damage.

Why Quality Liner Fabrication Matters

Quality liner fabrication involves using superior raw materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, ensuring our liners can endure extreme weather conditions without compromising performance. Carson Liners, known for rigorous quality control, offers liners with exceptional tensile strength and puncture resistance, vital for applications in California’s agricultural and industrial sectors.

Seams and welds are often the weakest points of a liner. Quality liner fabrication ensures these critical areas are expertly sealed to prevent leaks, even under high-stress conditions like rapid temperature changes or heavy water loads. We employ state-of-the-art welding technology, providing robust seam integrity that stands up to California’s demanding environment.

High-quality liners are specifically engineered to resist chemical degradation and UV damage, which are common in California due to agricultural runoff and intense sunlight. We use liner additives that enhance UV resistance, ensuring the liners do not become brittle or discolored over time.

Investing in quality liner fabrication reduces the need for frequent repairs and replacements. In California, where water scarcity and environmental regulations are top concerns, the use of reliable liners can prevent costly fines and water loss. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaks from poor-quality containment systems account for billions of gallons of lost water annually in the U.S., underscoring the importance of robust liner solutions.

The unpredictable nature of California’s weather demands liners that are up to the challenge. Quality liner fabrication isn’t just about meeting industry standards—it’s about exceeding them to provide reliable, durable, and cost-effective solutions. Carson Liners exemplifies the importance of quality liner fabrication, ensuring that businesses across California can operate safely and efficiently, no matter what the weather brings.

For more information on the importance of quality liner fabrication in liner manufacturing, speak to one of our experts. Fill out the form below or email us at sales@carsonliners.com.

SELECTING THE RIGHT MATERIAL

carsonadmin · March 23, 2023 ·

When it comes to lining a pond, the first and more popular option is a flexible liner made from Reinforced Polyethylene, Reinforced Polypropylene, CSPE, PVC or EPDM Rubber. There are other cheaper materials available; however for the purpose of building a lasting pond, it is advisable to use one of these flexible materials.

Reinforced Polyethylene (RPE) Liners

Reinforced polyethylene liners are generally considered the most durable liners available. In many cases, RPE liners don’t require a protective underlayment because of their higher tensile strength. Another advantage of reinforced polyethylene is they can be produced in very large sizes because of their light weight. However, a possible disadvantage to a RPE liner is that the material is slightly stiffer to work with which is only a problem if the pond has a lot of sharp protrusions, bends or corners or pipe penetrations.

Reinforced Polypropylene (RPP) Liners

Reinforced polypropylene liners are generally used for potable water applications. RPP can be easily box-welded into 3D shapes. Box-welding is the process of taking a flat liner and creating a 3D shaped box through the process of heat welding the seams. The main advantage of box-welding is that all the corners are nice and clean with no folds or wrinkles. If you’ve ever worked with a flat liner like EPDM rubber and tried to bend it around corners and ledges, you’ll know that you will never get it completely flat. RPP is the preferred material if a pond has pipe penetrations. It also has an extremely long life-span.

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSPE) Liners

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene liners are geomembranes formerly known as Hypalon. CSPE or HypaFlex is a high-performance material designed for long-term applications, including floating covers and exposed liners. CSPE provides truly outstanding UV protection and long-term performance. HypaFlex is backed with an industry-leading 30-year weathering warranty.

PVC Liners

PVC liners are usually the least expensive option compared to other flexible liner materials, but their biggest downside is their lack of UV stability. What that means is that the pond liner must be completely buried with no direct sunlight contact; otherwise, the liner will begin to break down, shortening the life span.

EPDM or Rubber Liners

EPDM rubber liners are quite heavy. They are typically quite UV resistant which is a definite plus over some PVC liners. As a fishpond liner, EPDM is a good choice due to the lack of plasticizers in the liner. It is also possible to join two or more sheets together with some pond liner tape. In the case of large pond liners, it is often essential to combine multiple sheets to create a liner in the desired shape and size. Because rubber is so much heavier than material mentioned above, it is often more difficult to find and ship large pieces of EPDM due to weight concerns. If you need a large piece, it might be better to go with an RPE liner since it’s stronger, lighter and more cost effective.

POND LINERS

carsonadmin · March 22, 2023 ·

Water is the world’s most important resource for survival. So ensuring it’s attainable and accessible for use when we need it, most especially with the unpredictability of droughts and natural disasters, is crucial.

Whether for personal or commercial use, geomembrane liners can help achieve the preservation of mother nature’s precious resource. These liners have a variety of uses. Everything from watershed ponds and stormwater management to storage reservoirs and irrigation ponds. Containment systems of every size can greatly benefit from these liners.

To understand more about how geomembrane liners can save you time and money, we’ll cover these three things:
● What is a geomembrane liner
● Benefits of using a liner
● What to look for when selecting a liner
What is a geomembrane liner?
A geomembrane liner is a non porous barrier designed to retain liquids in various vessels such as watershed ponds, lakes, lagoons, storage reservoirs, retention basins, and irrigation ponds. Geomembrane liners hold water in place and act as a barrier between the earth and its aquifers.
Benefits of using a liner
Of course, not all water contaminants require a liner. However, it can be greatly beneficial to install one for the preservation and longevity of your resources.

There are several benefits of using a geomembrane liner. Here are a few.

● Water retention: One of the most common reasons for using a liner is to keep water from seeping back into the soil. Depending on the purpose of water storage and the elemental factors of its location, different types of liners should be used to ensure the most efficient use.

● Protection against the elements: Liners not only keep water from seepage, but they also protect the water from the soil by keeping it as clean as possible.

● Reduces maintenance frequency: Much like other types of liners, having a geomembrane liner that feeds the needs and purpose of the water containment, reduces the need for frequent replenishment.

● Protection from contaminated water: Geomembrane liners also protect aquifers and watersheds from defiled water.

What to look for when selecting a geomembrane liner
There are several types of liners that can be used for various applications. Making sure you choose the one that best fits your needs is essential. A certified expert at Carson can help pick the type that would best suit your needs.

Here are a few key things to look for when selecting a liner.

Puncture resistant: Not all materials are created equal. When looking into a liner, it’s important to use the guidance of a professional who knows the industry. Different types of uses and different types of environments can play a big part. Be sure the type of liner you use is not easily susceptible to tears and lacerations.

Formulated to withstand UV exposure: Additionally, geomembrane liners should be able to withstand a particular level of ultraviolet (UV) exposure. In areas with more exposure to direct sunlight and UV rays, it is key to use liners that are made for that type of circumstance.

Configured for optimum contraction and expansion tolerances: Because the earth is always changing, it’s important that the geomembrane liner you use can “breathe” with the environment. Ensuring the material can tolerate such fluctuation is important.

NSF 61 approved materials for potable water: If you are containing potable water, it is especially crucial that the type of liner you use has materials that are NSF 61 approved. Not only does this ensure the ability to hold the water well, but it also ensures that water is safe to consume.

Type of material
Depending on what type of job your containment storage is expected to do, there are several different types of materials to consider. HDPE – woven heavy-weight polyethylene, RPP reinforced polypropylene, RPE reinforced polyethylene, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer, CSPE chlorosulfonated polyethylene and PVC polyvinyl chloride liners are just a few options for water containment liners. Connecting with a professional who can walk you through the process is key to ensuring the longevity of your liner.

These are just a few key things to look out for when selecting a liner. However, these are some additional things to consider. Be sure the liner you use is fish and plant safe, environmentally friendly, durable, and long-lasting. It should pass rigorous inspection and testing. It should also be custom fabricated to meet your needs to the best of its ability.

Next step, set up a consultation with one of our experts to discuss how pond liners can help you save thousands of dollars. In this article, you learned what geomembrane liners are, the benefits of having a liner, and what to look for in a liner. Let’s chat.