If you’re a pond or dam owner, having an EPDM liner in place will help protect ecosystems and the aquatic life living there. However, if you’re on the fence about whether or not to line your dam, it’s important to know that there are pros and cons to both.
An unlined dam can offer benefits to the environment, like adding moisture to subsoil, but when you look at the list of benefits to both, lining a water body comes out on top. Especially with the advantages that EPDM liners bring. Not only are these liners flexible and durable, but they also help to protect local ecosystems and keep the fish and animals in the water safe.
The reasons why? Let’s see.
What Is an EPDM Liner?
Let’s start by learning just what EPDM liners actually are, before we move on to why they’re so green. EPDM liners are the most durable and longest-lasting types of liner out there. EPDM is an abbreviation for “Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer”, and it’s a substance adored all over the world and famous for being the strongest, most effective type of dam liner.
You can easily move EPDM to fit the shape of your water body, which makes the material very versatile. Used for both commercial and residential pond projects, EPDM is excellent at conforming to different shapes if necessary.
Read: The Benefits of Using EPDM Dam Liners Over HDPE and PVC
How Does EPDM Liner Protect Ecosystems and Aquatic Life?
Reduces Erosion and Nutrient Loading
Erosion tends to happen when ponds and dams are unlined, and it’s extremely risky and can harm the ecosystem over time. Erosion can occur from animal activity and rainfall, and as the banks gradually wear away, nutrient loading and a loss of storage capacity can occur. As erosion happens, dirt enters the water and has the potential of suffocating wildlife and destroying habitats.
And from a practical standpoint, every litre of water lost to erosion or bank failure is water you can’t use for irrigation or livestock.
Nutrient loading is the process of an excessive amount of nutrients entering a water body, leading to increased algae and less oxygen. It significantly disrupts the balance in the water, and fish and ‘good’ bacteria will suffer as a result. An EPDM liner helps to prevent these issues and stop nutrient-rich sediment from entering the water. By stabilising the pond’s edges, it helps to produce a more stable pond with less disruptions and ongoing maintenance requirements. This balance keeps your pond deeper and your water clearer for longer.
Stops Contaminants Leaching Into Soil and Groundwater
This benefit is less visible, but it’s an extremely important one. EPDM liners help to stop contaminants from leaching into soil and groundwater underneath, which is a large disadvantage of opting for an unlined dam. Sometimes unlined dams allow for water to seep out, taking organic waste and nutrients from the water.
This is especially concerning in rural or farming areas, where the risk of fertilisers or pesticides entering natural water systems is high. EPDM acts as a protective barrier and holds everything in place. Not only does this help protect local ecosystems, but it also supports eco-friendly pond construction by reducing the risk of environmental contamination. If you’re seeking pond liner environmental benefits, this is a significant one.
Non-Toxic and Fish-Safe
Unlike some other dam or pond liners, EPDM liners aren’t full of toxic chemicals that can seep into the water. These liners are chemically stable and inert, so they won’t harm fish or disrupt the aquatic ecosystem.
As well as being a strong safety feature, this lack of chemicals and non-reactive quality means the environment in the water is more controlled. This keeps the ecosystem stable and removes the risk of fluctuations that can impact breeding or the general health of animals or beneficial bacteria living in the water.
Supports Natural Biological Processes
As we mentioned before, for an ecosystem to thrive it needs to have balance. The lack of chemicals in EPDM make it the perfect solution, as its presence will only have a beneficial impact. EPDM is chemically inert and doesn’t interfere with biological processes, but provides a stable and neutral environment where wildlife can live happily.
This chemical inertness goes a long way, and the liner’s resistance to UV rays and ozone means that it stands strong over time, in all kinds of conditions. If you want to build a pond or dam where balance matters, you can trust that EPDM liners will restore this and keep everything in check.
Encourages Native Habitat Restoration
Supporting native biodiversity starts with preserving the shape of your pond design. And that’s exactly what an EPDM liner does. It doesn’t just hold water; it holds your vision in place. For example, if you want steps or ledges in the pond, you’ll need a strong liner to hold them there. Without one, it’s very likely that erosion will take its toll and negatively impact the water body as the dirt fills the deep pockets.
A stable, sustainable aquatic environment that mimics natural wetlands doesn’t happen by chance but is made possible by using an EPDM liner to maintain control and consistency.
In areas where agriculture or development has removed any of the natural waterways and habitats, restoring this balance is especially important. With proper design and planting, your lined pond becomes a thriving microhabitat that restores biodiversity and protects fragile species for the long term.
Long-Term Protection With The Benefit of Low Maintenance
If you want to protect local ecosystems and aquatic life, you need a low maintenance liner. EPDM liners are known for their exceptional durability and are known for lasting 20 years or more with little maintenance. In some cases they will even outlive you.
This longevity translates into fewer disruptions to your pond’s ecosystem as you’ll need fewer resources spent on repairs or replacements and less waste will go to landfill.
At Water Quality Solutions, we recommend and supply Rollgum. This is our EPDM liner of choice and is backed by a 20-year warranty. It’s manufactured to the highest standards and trusted in demanding agricultural and commercial settings.
In fact, the team behind Rollgum was involved in laying the very first EPDM liners used in Spanish reservoirs over 50 years ago. Fun fact: many of them are still performing today to the same high standard.
Read: Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Rollgum EPDM Liner for a Leak-Free Dam
Final Thoughts
Creating a thriving and sustainable water habitat starts with choosing the right liner; it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make. An EPDM liner, like Rollgum, not only supports the health of aquatic life and local ecosystems but also protects your investment for decades to come.
Ready to get started and transform the balance of your pond or dam? Shop now and explore our full range of EPDM pond liners and accessories at Love My Dam or contact us directly for advice.