Stages of establishing artificial lakes
In this article, we explain the stages of establishing artificial lakes and the various pollutants. Which must be treated before and after establishment with Carewater and a variety of solutions for all water problems.
What is the method of implementing artificial lakes? What are the steps you go through?
- The first steps in creating artificial lakes begin with determining the required length, width, and depth of the lake. Then digging the ground according to the required measurements.
- Start by leveling the ground and making sure that there are no voids or strong slopes on the lake floor. Then add a 25 cm thick cement layer to the excavation floor and walls.
- Once the cement layer dries and stabilizes, the lake is filled with water and left for a while to ensure that water does not leak from that layer.
- The appropriate layer of insulation is added, and the lake is flooded with water again to ensure that the insulation does not leak as we did with the cement layer.
- Finally, installing ceramic tiles – if the client needs – as a final step in the method of implementing artificial lakes, and putting the final decorative touches to increase the beauty of the lake.
Are there specific ways to isolate artificial lakes?
Artificial lakes can be isolated hydrologically or thermally, and we will explain each method separately in the following lines:
First, waterproofing the artificial lake
Waterproofing of artificial lakes is carried out by using bitumen rolls, of which a longitudinal layer is supplied over the entire area of the lake and welded together, and another transverse layer is welded in the same way.
Another layer of aluminum coil is added to the previous layer, and then all layers undergo a leakage test.
Although the bitumen layer has a high ability to insulate water, it becomes fragile when exposed to constant sunlight, so it is preferable to support it with other materials, such as: polyurethane or acrylic, or resort to thermal insulation in areas constantly exposed to the sun.
Second: Thermal insulation of artificial lakes
It may be necessary to thermally insulate artificial lakes, especially in places characterized by extremely high temperatures, to prevent heat exchange between the soil surrounding the lake and the water.
Blue foam is used to thermally insulate artificial lakes. It is a material that is not affected by changing weather factors – extreme heat or cold. It is also a material that is resistant to insects and leaks.
Layers of blue foam are added over the layers of bitumen, and a layer of polyethylene is added to it to protect it from damage.
What are the different impurities that need to be treated from lake water?
Lake water is generally less subject to rapid changes in composition than river water, and many lakes are remarkably stable in composition over a long period of time. This is especially true of large lakes from which many large industries derive their water resources. In the case of lakes, ponds and small reservoirs, some of them are very constant in their composition, while others show significant seasonal changes.
Due to their relative composition, lakes act as effective settling basins and their turbidity is usually weak most of the time.
But since water has its maximum density at 39.2 degrees F. The vertical movements of water are caused by surface water that is hotter and cooled to this temperature or by surface water that is colder and heated to this temperature. These two variables are known as the autumn and spring solstices, respectively. At these times the waters of the lakes may become very turbid. Storms may also turbid the waters of the lakes badly.
Benefits of lake water treatment
In addition to dissolved mineral matter and dissolved gases, water may contain other impurities. We classify these impurities into:
- Turbidity and sediments.
- Color and organic matter.
- Microorganisms.
Sediment and Turbidity
Any undissolved, finely resolved impurities, regardless of their nature. That may be suspended in the water, spoiling its clarity, are generally known as turbidity. These suspended impurities may be inorganic. Such as clay, rock flour, silt, calcium carbonate, silica, iron hydroxide, sulfur, etc., or they may be of an organic nature, crumbly plant or animal, such as oils or fats. Or lipids, microorganisms, etc. Turbidity may be attributed to a single substance, which is the most common, or to a combination of substances.
These suspended impurities may range in size, from colloidal particles to coarse sandy material. This remains suspended only under the influence of rapid and turbulent flows, and is called sediment.
Treating lake water from turbidity and sediments
Lakes can be considered as large sedimentation basins, but it can be concluded from this that their waters, for this reason, must be free of turbidity, or the turbidity in their waters is very low. This is a false conclusion because these bodies of water may contain at least very appreciable amounts of turbidity. It should be noted that the basis of turbidity tests must be carried out at specific locations during a random period of one year. In these locations, there are, in each case. Some established factors, such as the distance of the intake from the shore, its depth, and the part of the lake in which it is located. These locations may greatly affect turbidity.
Therefore, another outlet, in the same body of water, but at a different distance from the shore. At a different depth, or from a different location, may show completely different results.
Matter Organic and Color
The color is found mostly in surface waters. The colors commonly observed in water range from very light brown, through yellowish brown, to dark brown.
In determining the color of water, the real color is important, not the apparent color.
Removal of Color and Organic Matter
The known dissolved organic matter found in water is a mixture of substances, some of which are supposed to be dark in color and others light or colorless in scientific terms. Neither the compound consisting of these substances nor even the quantities present appear in the analysis. Color can be determined against a qualitative scale, but this procedure does not indicate the amount of organic matter that produces this color.
Consumed oxygen tests are important in indicating the presence or absence of excess amounts of organic matter. However, they do not accept conversion into specific quantities of organic matter. They are merely a measurement of the amount of potassium permanganate (which is usually expressed as the amount of oxygen equivalent to its oxidation that was consumed by a certain volume of water, in Constant time and constant temperature).
Microorganisms
Microorganisms are common in surface waters, but are absent or present in small quantities in deep well waters. Contamination of deep well water may occur by surface water seeping down around the casing, especially in limestone areas.
Cracks may provide impassable passages for contamination. Shallow wells, some springs, and even water seeping from filtration chambers may contain appreciable amounts of microorganisms, and with waters bearing iron or manganese. Iron or manganese bacteria that commonly clump together in the form of Crenothrix may become very troublesome. The waters of deep lakes may also carry microscopic organisms that develop in these waters after they are drawn.
Removal of microorganisms
Microorganisms can be removed, destroyed, or prevented from forming in a number of ways. Algae, and plants that contain chlorophyll, need sunlight to grow. So preventing the formation of these organisms if possible allows water to be stored in covered tanks. Floating rafts are sometimes used, but they are not recommended because they are usually unsatisfactory. In open ponds, activated carbon is sometimes used, but it is clear that carbon is limited in its uses. In large open lakes, treatments with measured doses of copper sulfate are often used, and these doses must be carefully regulated.