|
|
| There is a demand for vast amount of water in agricultural areas where water does not naturally exists at the level needed. To mitigate this problem, canals have been constructed to transport water from the source to where it is needed. Earthen canals, eventhough relatively inexpensive to construct, loss 50 percent or more of the water they transport to seepage and the concrete veneer may still crack over the time. |
| |
| More recently, flexible lining materials such as LDPE and HDPE have been gaining popularity as the most cost-effective lining solution for a number of applications, including irrigation and potable water. LDPE / HDPE Liners, either alone or in conjunction with a concrete veneer, can greatly increase the effectiveness of a canal lining system. Not only are erosion and vegetative intrusion mitigated, but also leakage is greatly reduced as compared to earthen or concrete alone system. While the concrete veneer may still crack over time, the geomembrane remains in place underneath the veneer to prevent seepage until the concrete can be repaired. |
| |
|
|
- Reduction in seepage losses and consequently more area can be irrigated immediately.
- Improvement in hydraulic efficiency of the canal system and hence smaller channel section needed.
- Saving in land due to smaller channel section.
- Saving in cost of excavation and canal structures such as bridges, cross-regulators, falls etc. due to smaller channel sections.
- More power generation from hydropower plants due to reduction in water losses.
- Protection to channel sides and bed against erosion.
- Reduced possibility of breaches, especially in banking reaches.
- Increased efficiency of water use since with higher velocities of flow, the canal networks can complete rotation of water in lesser time, thus saving on further seepage losses.
- Improvement in structural safety of the channel system.
- Improvement in operational efficiency.
- Prevention of weed growth.
- Reduction of maintenance costs.
- Lining over CNS material maintains channel sections in shape in black cotton soils.
- Reduction of drainage requirements.
- Reduction of water logging and rise of ground water table.
|
