With water unavailability and irregular rainfall patterns, climate change. Water reservoir construction for irrigation in Nigeria in 2026 is increasing. Water reservoirs helps to store, preserve water and reduce seepage.
Maybe you have a porous soil. The kind of soil that does not retain water. Or you want to store the water in a cleaner and efficient way, water reservoir construction is increasing in its importance.
I always advise that it is best to get an excavator to construct your water reservoir.
Please don’t use manual labour.
Get an excavation machine, and get the excavation job done professionally within 2 days.
Manual labour workers usually come with disappointments. Because of excuses, the project is not completed within the set time. Sometimes , you would hear that they found some rock they could not move or some tree roots they could not remove. Its not worth it abeg.
Get a machine for your water reservoir construction and design. You would tell me thank you later.
Things to Consider for your water reservoir construction and design in Nigeria
1. Gradient of your Land.
You probably already have your land and probably already have a proposed location. I would strongly advise that you make your reservoir location on your land as highland as possible. This would assist the flow of water for irrigation.
2. Slope:
There is a tactic to excavate your land because a slope is needed. A slope is required to ensure that the reservoir drains properly when you need it. This refers to the slope of the reservoir itself.
3. What is the water source ?
Is it rainfall, a borehole or a nearby stream. A stream, it does not need to be as close to the eventual irrigation. If it is a borehole, the closer to your irrigation destination, the better.
This would make your pumping machines and or irrigation systems more efficient and last longer.
With the advent of solar mud pumps, a water reservoir in your farm in Nigeria now is a smart choice.
4. Drainage Pathway.
For proper water reservoir construction in Nigeria, it is a responsible thing for you to consider a drainage pathway. This is important for if your reservoir ever overflows. It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
After dredging the land with the desired slope and securing the drainage channels.
5. The Tarpaulin or Liner.
The next thing which is probably the most important thing is the choice of your liners to install after your construction.
Our HDPE Liners are guaranteed for 25 years.
The reinforced tarpaulin, typically called ‘first Grade’ in Nigeria are guaranteed for 10 years.
The popular market Tarpaulins are guaranteed for 3 years.
Why HDPE Geomembrane Is Often the Better Choice
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane liners are industrial-grade plastic liners. They are designed for water containment specifically. HDPE is a dense polymer with extremely low permeability, which means almost no water passes through the material itself.
The liner is also reinforced with fibre for extreme durability.
Key Advantages of HDPE Liners:
- Superior impermeability: HDPE liners have a permeability coefficient far lower than most other materials. This reduces seepage and conserving water.
- Longevity: When properly installed, HDPE can last for 20-50 years or more, even under constant exposure to sunlight and weather extremes.
- Chemical and UV resistance: Additives like carbon black improve resistance to ultraviolet degradation, and HDPE withstands soil chemicals better than basic tarps.
- Customization and fit: We can seal it to any size, shape and dimension. This helps us to create a tailor-made fit for irregular reservoir shapes, reducing unsupported edges and leakage points.
If you are just starting your fish farm project. I wrote this : How to start a fish farm successfully in Nigeria in 2026
You can also contact me for any question or any support I can render in helping you in your water reservoir construction and design. I can be reached on Whatsapp here +2348161385163.
It helps me so I can reply your message or your call.
Finally, here is a gift for you for reading thus far. I walk you through why you should line your irrigation pond in the video below
Here is a video I taught on how to line your water reservior with HDPE tarpaulin
Cheers,
Your Fish Farming Mentor,
Akin “Akinfish’ Showemimo
Talk to Akinfish on Whatsapp +2348161385163 here
