Case Study: Installing Rollgum EPDM Liner in a Farm Swimming Dam

Case Study

Installing Rollgum EPDM Liner in a Market Garden Swimming Dam

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Challenge

A Leaking, Unsuitable Dam Site

The owners of a market garden farm near Healesville, Victoria, wanted to convert a small dam into a natural aesthetic swimming dam that could also serve as water storage for irrigating plants.

The existing dam had been built years earlier in crumbly red soil with very little clay content. The soil is ideal for growing produce, but unsuitable for holding water. Over time, tree roots and vegetation had invaded the dam walls, causing extensive leaks. Despite regular maintenance, it “leaked like a sieve.”

The site is fed by a natural spring and surrounded by dense fern growth. Bringing in and compacting new clay would have been expensive and unreliable, with no guarantee of long-term success. The owners wanted a cost-effective but permanent solution that kept the surrounding ferns and natural look intact.

Solution

Rollgum EPDM Liner and Careful Site Excavation

We worked closely with the client to find the best balance between budget, performance and aesthetics. To keep costs manageable, the customer took on some site preparation themselves, and we coordinated Woods Earthmoving, one of our local subcontractors, to handle the dam excavation and shaping.

The old dam was drained, cleaned and reshaped to include:

- A walk-in shelf for easy swimming access

- An anchor trench around the perimeter to secure the liner

- Careful grading around existing ferns to preserve the natural look

To address the poor soil structure and leakage, we installed a 1mm thick Rollgum EPDM liner, which provides a flexible and fully watertight barrier. We chose the 1mm thickness, the best value combination of durability and cost, compared to thinner (0.8mm) or thicker (1.14mm) alternatives.

We also diverted the spring inflow during installation to keep the area dry.

Result

An Aesthetic Swimming Dam with Lasting Water Retention

Once filled, the new dam held water 100% leak-free—a first for the property after years of frustration. The owners can now enjoy a natural swimming area that doubles as on-farm irrigation storage when needed.

We kept the surrounding ferns in place to give the dam a beautiful, natural appearance that blends perfectly with the surrounding bush.

We plan to revisit the site for updated photos once the landscaping and planting are complete, and the dam is full of water, but even in the early stages, the transformation has been dramatic. The clients are thrilled to finally have a low-maintenance, fully sealed swimming dam that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

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More info on Rollgum liner
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More info on Rollgum liner