When this irrigation lagoon was completed in 2010, it was the largest EPDM project of its kind in the UK that year.
Today, more than fifteen years later, it continues to perform exactly as it was designed to.
That’s something worth talking about.
While many construction projects are judged the day they’re finished, water storage projects tell their real story years later. A professionally designed and installed irrigation lagoon isn’t simply about holding water. It’s about providing long-term reliability, supporting agricultural operations and helping businesses plan confidently for the future.
As conversations around water availability, changing weather patterns and sustainable resource management continue to grow, this project demonstrates that careful planning and quality installation remain just as important today as they were when work first began.
For us, this wasn’t simply another project.
It became an important milestone in the company’s history and continues to demonstrate what’s possible when experience, planning and high-quality materials come together.
Looking Beyond Today’s Weather
Every summer seems to bring another discussion about water shortages, prolonged dry spells or the need to make better use of natural resources.
While headlines come and go, the underlying challenge remains the same.
Water is one of the most valuable assets available to farms, estates and commercial landowners. Having the ability to collect, store and manage that water efficiently provides far greater control than relying solely on seasonal rainfall or external supplies.
According to the Environment Agency, sustainable water management will continue to play an increasingly important role as demand for water grows across multiple sectors. Similarly, the Met Office’s climate projections indicate that the UK is likely to experience warmer conditions alongside changing rainfall patterns in the years ahead.
This isn’t about reacting to one particularly dry summer.
It’s about planning for decades, not seasons.
That’s exactly what made this irrigation lagoon project so forward-thinking.
One of the UK’s Largest Irrigation Lagoons
Located near Stonehenge, this project involved lining a newly constructed cut-and-fill irrigation lagoon measuring approximately 100 metres long, 80 metres wide and 6.5 metres deep.
Today, it remains one of the standout projects in our portfolio. If you’d like to see more photographs and learn more about the construction, take a look at our 34 Million Litre Irrigation Lagoon project.
The project was commissioned by K & A Groundworks Ltd, who appointed us to install the EPDM liner system.
It also marked the company’s first large-scale on-site liner welding project, helping establish the expertise that has since been applied to many commercial lining projects across England and Wales.
If you’d like to see more examples of commercial lining projects, explore our Irrigation Lagoon Portfolio.
A Smarter Way to Store Water
What made this project particularly interesting wasn’t simply its size.
It was the way the entire water storage system had been designed.
The lagoon formed part of a wider strategy that combined licensed water abstraction with rainwater harvesting, helping to maximise every available source of water.
A licence was granted to extract approximately 22.7 million litres over a three-month period.
Alongside this, an additional 8 million litres could be harvested from the roof of a 1,000m² milking barn, ensuring rainfall became a valuable resource rather than simply running to waste.
Even today, this remains an excellent example of integrated water management.
Rather than relying on one source alone, multiple water sources worked together to create a reliable long-term supply capable of supporting agricultural operations year after year.
This type of forward planning has become increasingly relevant as businesses continue looking for practical ways to improve efficiency, reduce waste and make better use of available resources.
Why the Liner Was So Important
Every irrigation lagoon depends on one critical component.
The liner.
Without a high-quality liner, even the best-designed lagoon cannot perform as intended over the long term.
For this project, we installed the Firestone GeoGard EPDM liner system, supplied by Gordon Low Products.
The choice of EPDM wasn’t accidental.
It was selected because of its proven durability, flexibility and ability to perform in demanding site conditions. Those characteristics were about to be tested in a way nobody could have predicted.
Installing Through One of the Coldest UK Winters
Every construction project presents challenges.
For this one, it was the weather.
The winter of 2010 was one of the coldest experienced across the UK in recent years, with morning temperatures on site falling to approximately -6.5°C.
Working in these conditions required careful planning, flexibility and close coordination with the wider project team.
Despite the freezing temperatures, the Firestone GeoGard EPDM lining system continued to perform as expected, allowing installation work to progress successfully throughout much of the programme.
Snow eventually halted work on the penultimate day, meaning the team returned after Christmas to complete the final stages of the installation.
While challenging, the project reinforced an important lesson that still applies today.
Selecting proven materials is essential, but so is choosing an installation team with the experience to adapt when site conditions become more demanding than expected.
Collaboration Was Key to the Project’s Success
Large commercial lining projects are never completed in isolation.
Successful delivery relies on close collaboration between contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, with every stage carefully coordinated to achieve the desired result.
For this project, the EPDM liner was supplied by Gordon Low Products, while Firestone provided technical support throughout the installation, including specialist guidance and regular site visits.
That partnership ensured the installation met the high standards expected on a project of this scale and gave everyone involved confidence that the finished lagoon would provide long-term performance.
It’s an approach that still underpins commercial lining projects today.
The right materials, combined with experienced installation and technical support where required, produce results that stand the test of time.
Returning Years Later
Perhaps the most satisfying part of this project came several years after completion.
In 2017, we returned to visit the lagoon and see how it had performed.
By then, the surrounding landscape had matured, the lagoon had settled naturally into its environment and, most importantly, it was continuing to meet the owner’s requirements exactly as intended.
That visit reinforced something we’ve always believed.
The true measure of any irrigation lagoon isn’t the day it’s completed.
It’s how well it performs years later.
For clients investing in long-term water storage, that’s exactly what matters most.
What Can Today’s Businesses Learn From This Project?
Although this project was completed more than fifteen years ago, many of the challenges it addressed are even more relevant today.
Water has become an increasingly valuable resource, and businesses are looking for practical ways to improve efficiency, reduce waste and build greater resilience into their operations.
A professionally designed irrigation lagoon can help by:
- Providing reliable long-term water storage.
- Supporting irrigation during prolonged dry periods.
- Making better use of harvested rainwater.
- Reducing dependence on external water supplies where appropriate.
- Improving long-term operational planning.
- Supporting sustainable land management.
Every project is different, but one principle remains the same.
Planning ahead almost always delivers better results than reacting once problems arise.
More Than Just Agriculture
Although irrigation lagoons are often associated with farming, reliable water storage can benefit a wide range of industries.
Over the years, we have completed projects for clients including:
- Farms and agricultural businesses.
- Country estates.
- Nurseries and horticultural businesses.
- Golf courses and sports facilities.
- Commercial developments.
- Environmental and ecological projects.
Each site presents its own challenges, which is why every lagoon should be designed around the specific needs of the client rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re considering a new project, our Pond & Lake Consultancy service can help you explore the options before construction begins.
Why Professional Installation Matters
The quality of an irrigation lagoon depends on far more than selecting the right liner.
Ground preparation, seam quality, detailing, drainage, weather conditions and installation methods all influence how the lagoon performs over its lifetime.
Experience allows potential issues to be identified before they become problems.
That’s one of the reasons Turtle Productions continues to specialise in on-site liner welding, providing solutions for projects where standard factory-fabricated liners may not be practical.
Whether it’s a small wildlife pond or a multi-million-litre commercial lagoon, the same principles apply.
Good planning.
Quality materials.
Professional installation.
More Than Just Agriculture
Although irrigation lagoons are often associated with farming, reliable water storage can benefit a wide range of industries.
Over the years, we have completed projects for clients including:
- Farms and agricultural businesses.
- Country estates.
- Nurseries and horticultural businesses.
- Golf courses and sports facilities.
- Commercial developments.
- Environmental and ecological projects.
Each site presents its own challenges, which is why every lagoon should be designed around the specific needs of the client rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re considering a new project, our Pond & Lake Consultancy service can help you explore the options before construction begins.
Why Professional Installation Matters
The quality of an irrigation lagoon depends on far more than selecting the right liner.
Ground preparation, seam quality, detailing, drainage, weather conditions and installation methods all influence how the lagoon performs over its lifetime.
Experience allows potential issues to be identified before they become problems.
That’s one of the reasons Turtle Productions continues to specialise in on-site liner welding, providing solutions for projects where standard factory-fabricated liners may not be practical.
Whether it’s a small wildlife pond or a multi-million-litre commercial lagoon, the same principles apply.
Good planning.
Quality materials.
Professional installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I consider an irrigation lagoon?
An irrigation lagoon provides a reliable source of stored water, helping businesses manage irrigation more effectively, make better use of harvested rainwater and plan with greater confidence during drier periods.
Q: How long does an EPDM liner last?
High-quality EPDM liners are designed for long-term performance. When professionally installed and properly maintained, they can provide over 60-years of reliable service. https://turtleproductions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Technical-Bulletin-Life-Expectancy-of-Firestone-EPDM-membranes-UK.pdf
Q: What does it cost?
Typically, large EPDM lagoons cost from £16 p/m2 to line, which is only £5 or so more than our nearest rivals, HDPE, with double the service life.
https://geosyntheticsmagazine.com/2008/10/01/how-long-will-my-liner-last/
Q: Can rainwater harvesting be incorporated into an irrigation lagoon?
Yes. Many irrigation lagoons are designed to collect water from roofs and other catchment areas, helping maximise the use of natural rainfall.
Q: Does Turtle Productions install large commercial lagoons?
Yes. We install EPDM liner systems for irrigation lagoons, reservoirs and commercial water storage projects across England and Wales.
Q: Do you offer advice before construction starts?
Yes. Through our Pond & Lake Consultancy service, we can advise on design considerations, liner options and the most suitable approach for your project.
Planning a Water Storage Project?
Whether you’re considering an irrigation lagoon, commercial reservoir or another large-scale water storage solution, careful planning makes all the difference.
If you’d like to discuss your project, we’re always happy to offer practical advice based on more than 25 years of experience working with ponds, lakes and commercial lining systems.
Explore our Irrigation Lagoon Portfolio to see more completed projects, or contact us to arrange an initial conversation about your requirements.
