With water unpredictability and climate change, lining water reservoir for irrigation in Nigeria in 2026 has become essential. This helps to store, preserve water and reduce seepage.
For longer-term, durable installations, especially those intended to store water for irrigation, livestock, or reservoir use, HDPE geomembrane liners is the best type of tarpaulin to use.
Either you have a soil that is porous and does not retain water, or you want to store the water in a cleaner and use-efficient way.
I always advise that it is best to get an excavator to clear the excavate your space.
Please don’t use manual labour. Get an excavator and get the job done professionally in 2 days.
Manual workers are usually fraught with disapointment upon disapointment and wont be completed with the project in 2 weeks. Then you would see 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 and get a thorough work done , once and for all !
Things to Consider for you water reservoir for irrigation
1. Gradient of your Land. You have probably bought your land and probably already have a location in mind. I would strongly advise though 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 way to excavate and a slope that is required to ensure that the reservoir drains properly when you need it. So this refers to the slope of the reservoir itself.
3. What is the water source ? Is it rainfall, a borehole or a nearby stream. If it is 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. It is also a responsible thing for you to consider a drainage pathway for your reservoir if it ever overflows. Its 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 next thing is the choice of your liners.
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 designed specifically for water containment. HDPE is a dense polymer with extremely low permeability, which means almost no water passes through the material itself. It is also reinforced with fibre inside for durability.
Key Advantages of HDPE Liners:
- Superior impermeability: HDPE liners have a permeability coefficient far lower than most other materials, effectively reducing 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.
When to Choose Which
- Use a durable *tarpaulin if your reservoir is small, temporary, or intended for seasonal use, and if cost and simplicity are your top priorities.
- Choose HDPE geomembrane for long-term water storage, agricultural irrigation reservoirs, or critical applications where water conservation and structural integrity matter most.
Water reservoirs can provide reliable water storage for irrigation, improve farm productivity, and reduce dependence on rainfall. They are a smart investment for sustainable agriculture.
For longevity, minimal seepage, and reliability in diverse climates, HDPE geomembrane liners represent a professional standard in the field, justifying the higher cost and installation requirements.
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 start your farm. 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
