Installation
Waterborne Method
A waterborne application of ESS-13 can be used in lakes that are losing up to eight inches of water per day. Seepage problems with PVC, native clay, sand and bentonite can be solved with this method. ESS-13 also works very well in lakes lined with concrete, gunnite or shotcrete. The waterborne treatment of ESS-13 works best in lakes and ponds that are kept full. Freezing conditions and normal irrigation cycles will not harm the effectiveness of an ESS-13 seal.
A waterborne application of ESS-13 to existing bodies of water usually requires one gallon of ESS-13 to each 2,000 gallons of water, although application rates may vary. Prior to the application, a staff gauge or yardstick should be driven into the lake and the loss in vertical inches measured for 24 hours. This should be done at the full water level.
Pump or pour the ESS-13 into the water at various locations and it will mix and distribute by itself. This usually takes from six to ten hours. Utilizing aeration or other forms of turbulent mixing is a great way to speed up the dispersion process. A 2” self-priming trash/water pump is ideal for pumping ESS-13 into the lake.
The majority of the sealing action takes place in the first 72 hours. After this 72 hour period the water will remain hazy white for several days to several weeks. In most cases the water can be used for irrigation before the water clears, however please contact your Seepage Control representative prior to irrigating. Seventy two hours after the treatment take another 24-hour loss measurement. The comparison will give you an initial seepage rate reduction (typically 80-90%, neglecting projects involving mechanical failure (ie. pipe penetrations, sink holes, etc.)).
Whatever the initial reduction is, remember that the product continues to reduce the seepage rate of the pond with time.
ESS-13 is an environmentally safe, non-toxic, vegetable oil based product. If there are any fish in the lake, they should be removed before the application of ESS-13 as the oil content can coat their gills and cause suffocation. Contact your Seepage Control representative about the timing for fish reintroduction.
Please mention as many details as possible about your particular project to your Seepage Control representative.
