PROJECT SUMMARY
Foothills County undertook the development of two new reservoir lagoons near Highway 2 in Aldersyde, Alberta, to support local water infrastructure needs. The two lagoons together cover a total area of approximately 130,000 m². MPE, a division of Englobe, was responsible for the lagoon design, with Layfield Geosynthetics leading construction and installation. The project site presented a technically challenging environment due to elevated groundwater levels and a limited construction budget. Foothills County required a solution that maintained long-term performance and regulatory compliance while minimizing excavation, material volumes, and overall costs. Layfield was engaged early in the process to provide a geosynthetic solution that addressed drainage concerns without compromising liner integrity or constructability, ensuring the project could be completed efficiently within a narrow seasonal construction window.
SOLUTION
Layfield proposed the use of HydraNet® Geocomposite to efficiently manage groundwater while reducing excavation depth and minimizing fill material requirements. This approach allowed the lagoon system to remain higher above groundwater levels while still providing effective subsurface drainage, eliminating the need for costly traditional drainage aggregates and extensive piping. For the primary liner, Layfield recommended Enviro Liner® 6060, selected for its enhanced UV resistance and superior elongation properties. These characteristics provided added protection against potential damage from the rocky subgrade and improved long-term performance. Working closely with the design and construction teams, Layfield delivered a cost-effective solution tailored to the site’s unique conditions.
CHALLENGES & RESULTS
The project site presented challenges, including high groundwater levels, a rocky subgrade, and limited project budgets. Conventional drainage solutions would have required deeper excavation, increased aggregate volumes, and extensive drainage piping, significantly increasing costs and construction complexity. Layfield’s geosynthetic approach enabled an efficient installation of both lagoons, which were completed before winter conditions set in. The use of HydraNet® reduced excavation depth and material requirements while still providing effective groundwater management. Enviro Liner® 6060 was successfully specified to improve durability and flexibility in challenging subgrade conditions. Overall, the project achieved meaningful cost savings in excavation, trucking, and material usage while meeting all municipal performance requirements.
