PROTECTING OUR AIR AND WATER WITH FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE
LINERS, COVERS, AND FABRICATIONS

Equalization Pond

In an equalization pond, floating solids are allowed to settle, sometimes for three months or more.  The remaining water can then be treated. Because waste treatment processes work best with uniform conditions, this clearer water flows more smoothly in subsequent operations.  Equalization ponds are frequently used as a step in cleaning up water from manufacturing operations, seafood processing tanks, and poultry feeding operations.

This pond is used in the treatment of contaminated groundwater in a busy railroad yard.  To facilitate settlement, alum is added to the water in the pond. The alum sticks to multiple solid particles, and the resulting (heavier) clumps sink more quickly than the individual particles would. After the wastewater has been clarified and pumped out for further cleaning, the remaining sludge is mechanically removed from the bottom of the pond.  XR-5 material was used in this case, specified for its puncture, abrasion, and chemical resistant properties.