Floating Covers for Reservoirs

Floating Covers for Reservoirs

Plastic Fusion Fabricators installs floating covers for potable water reservoirs, treated water storage basins, and raw water impoundments. Our geomembrane reservoir covers protect drinking water quality by preventing airborne contamination, blocking UV-driven algae growth, reducing evaporation, and excluding birds and wildlife — meeting the water quality and regulatory requirements that municipal utilities and water districts operate under.

Open water reservoirs are vulnerable. Airborne debris, bird activity, wind-carried sediment, and UV-driven algae blooms all degrade water quality and increase treatment costs. A floating geomembrane cover eliminates these problems by sealing the water surface — maintaining chlorine residual, preventing disinfection byproduct precursors from forming, and keeping your stored water clean from treatment to distribution.

Plastic Fusion’s reservoir covers are custom-fabricated to your basin dimensions from UV-stabilized HDPE or reinforced polypropylene, deployed directly on the water surface, and anchored at the perimeter. Every cover includes our patented lateral float system for stability, integrated rainwater drainage, and access hatches for sampling and maintenance. With 40+ years in floating cover installation, we deliver reservoir cover systems that water utilities rely on for decades.

Applications

• Municipal potable water reservoir covers
• Treated water storage basin covers
• Raw water reservoir protection
• Distribution system storage tank covers
• Finished water holding basin covers
• Evaporation control for water supply reservoirs in arid regions
• Algae prevention and water quality protection
• Regulatory compliance for open reservoir requirements
• Wildlife and bird exclusion from water supply

Why Water Utilities Cover Reservoirs

Drinking water regulations increasingly require utilities to address open reservoir contamination risks. Floating covers provide:

• Algae suppression — blocking sunlight eliminates photosynthetic algae growth that drives taste, odor, and disinfection byproduct issues
• Chlorine residual preservation — reducing UV exposure extends chlorine effectiveness from reservoir to tap
• Contamination exclusion — physical barrier against bird droppings, windborne sediment, pollen, and airborne pollutants
• Evaporation reduction — 95–98% reduction in surface water loss, conserving treated water supply
• Regulatory compliance — meeting EPA Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2) and state open reservoir requirements

Why Utilities Specify Plastic Fusion

• 40+ years installing floating cover systems for water utilities
• Patented floating cover design with lateral float stability and rainwater drainage
• Custom fabrication to any reservoir geometry — no standard sizing limitations
• UV-stabilized HDPE and reinforced polypropylene rated for decades of outdoor exposure
• Certified thermoplastic welders with full QA/QC seam testing and documentation
• Access hatches for sampling, inspection, and maintenance without cover removal
• In-house HDPE fabrication for cover components and custom details
• Nationwide mobilization — installed on full, operating reservoirs without draining
• Direct coordination with utility engineers, water quality managers, and regulators

Floating Reservoir Cover FAQs

Why do water utilities cover reservoirs?

Open reservoirs expose treated drinking water to contamination from bird activity, airborne debris, wind-carried sediment, and UV-driven algae growth. These contaminants increase treatment costs, create taste and odor complaints, and generate disinfection byproduct precursors that pose health risks. The EPA’s LT2 rule and many state regulations require utilities to address open reservoir contamination — either through additional treatment or by covering the reservoir. A floating cover is typically the most cost-effective long-term solution.

How do floating reservoir covers prevent algae?

Algae require sunlight to photosynthesize. A floating geomembrane cover blocks solar radiation from reaching the water surface, eliminating the primary driver of algal growth. Without light, algae cannot grow — regardless of nutrient levels in the water. This is more effective and less costly than chemical algaecide treatment, and it also prevents the UV degradation of chlorine that accelerates in uncovered reservoirs.

Can floating covers be installed on reservoirs that are currently in service?

Yes. Floating covers are designed to be deployed on full, operating reservoirs. The cover is fabricated to the reservoir dimensions, transported to site, unfolded across the water surface, and anchored at the perimeter — no draining, no bypass pumping, no service interruption. Plastic Fusion’s crews have installed covers on active municipal water supply reservoirs during normal operations.

How long do reservoir floating covers last?

A properly installed HDPE or reinforced polypropylene reservoir cover typically delivers 20–30+ years of service life. UV-stabilized materials are rated for continuous outdoor exposure. Longevity depends on UV intensity, wind loading, and seam welding quality. Many utilities plan for a single cover installation to serve the reservoir for its remaining operational life.

Request a Quote

If your utility needs a floating cover for a potable water reservoir, treated water storage basin, or raw water impoundment, Plastic Fusion designs and installs custom systems that protect water quality and comply with regulatory requirements. Contact us for project-specific pricing, material recommendations, and installation timelines.