Water storage with plastic films

A water basin has many applications. As a specialist in the processing and application of foil constructions, Genap has been constructing water basins for various purposes for over 65 years, ranging from agriculture, horticulture and infrastructure projects to basins for recreational purposes and for animal and amusement parks. One of the latest realized recreational projects is the expansion of Toverland in Sevenum. 

In recent years in particular, Genap has been in high demand for the construction of water storage for recreational purposes, says sales manager civil projects Mark Visser. "For example, we have been involved in the construction of all outdoor water features at Center Parcs throughout Europe, we have realized various pools at the Dolfinarium, including the large dolphin outdoor pool, and the polar bear pond at Ouwehands Dierenpark comes from our kitchen. We also made all the ponds in the new Wildlands Emmen. We were approached by contractor Den Ouden from Schijndel to realize the expansion of Toverland. It concerns project Avalon with the newest attraction Fenix, a roller coaster located in a large pond."

Three-layer package
Genap first fully engineered the foil construction for the new water feature in Toverland based on the drawings and "obstacles. "This involves calculating and seeing how we can best lay out and weld the foil construction," Visser explains. "Details are coordinated with the contractor. After all, there are quite a few 'obstacles' in the pond, such as the foundation piles for the roller coaster. To guarantee waterproofing, the foil is stripped off against the piles via a pour-in profile or with a stainless steel profile (fitted with a neoprene seal). We then produce the foil construction in the most efficient dimensions." The new water feature at Toverland was first fully excavated by the contractor. Genap then lined the sand bed with a 250-gram protective fleece of Genatex Geotextile NWPP 20. On top of this, the Fecatex 1 mm film (KIWA-certified) was applied in sections and welded together. The package was again covered with the same protective fleece and supplemented with a sand layer.

EPDM in the polar bear pond at Ouwehands Zoo

From A to Z
The new water feature in Toverland is more than 8,000 m² large. Also, Genap lined several more small pond areas with Firestone Pondgard EPDM liner. That brings the total to approximately 9,000 m² to just foil structures. "When you walk through the park now you see a tightly finished whole, a very beautiful and well cared for amusement park. Again, a nice reference project where we completely relieve the customer - in this case the contractor - in the field of the waterproofing from A to Z. We do this in our own laboratory and design office. In our own laboratory and design office we take care of the engineering, in 's-Heerenberg we produce the foil constructions to size (up to 5,000 m² in one piece) and for installation (assembly) we have our own assembly teams that are deployed worldwide. This allows us to guarantee the highest quality." 

Not for nothing has Genap grown over the past 65 years to become Europe's leading organization in the processing and application of plastic film structures. Recently, Genap has added the development and production of drinking water storage solutions to its portfolio. The demand for water storage is increasing worldwide and the possibilities of plastic films in this area are diverse, sustainable and affordable.