In the development of residential, commercial and industrial areas, and in similar projects, rainwater collection reservoirs are playing an increasingly important role, not just in water management but also in environmental terms. Geomembranes used in the construction of water retaining ponds need a soil cover to protect them against UV and mechanical damage. For aesthetical reasons, it is often aimed at establishing vegetation on the slopes above the liner. The friction angle between the rainwater reservoir liner and the soil usually is too low to provide the stability needed in the long term. In such cases, geosynthetic composites combining grip layers with reinforcement layers can absorb the shear forces induced by the soil cover on top and also prevent shear forces transferring to the liner used on the project.

For this purpose, Colbond developed the range of Enkamat W product types reinforced product types. These mats consist of an open grip layer keeping the soil in place and a reinforcing grid or fabric ensuring stability of the top layers on the smooth liner and reducing the shear forces induced into the liner. Colbond and their representatives will be happy to assist on choosing the right composite for each specific purpose. The best suited Enkamat W product type is determined based on the relevant slope length, slope angle and the thickness and natural characteristics of the topsoil layer.

For more information on Enkamat erosion control mats and their applications, please follow the link to the section Enkamat, Uses.