Title: Organic Polymer Addition for Reducing Conveyance Seepage Losses

Principal Investigator's Name(s): Drew Johnson and Michael Urynowicz

Project Timeline: Fall 2004 to Spring 2006

Program Overview: Synthetic organic polymers are commonly used in water treatment applications to coagulate colloids and improve sedimentation and filtration performance. This same type of process may be useful to reduce seepage losses during water conveyance by sealing the unlined canal bottom. The study utilizes acrylamide, a widely used and generally safe polymer. Experiments include (1) Laboratory jar tests to determine the optimum coagulation/flocculation conditions including dosage, turbidity, pH, rapid mix and flocculation speeds, and particle genesis time (2) Column studies to determine seepage loss as a function of dosage, turbidity, mixing, sediment characteristics and time, and (3) Falling head permeameter field tests to determine the effectiveness of a polymer application to a real conveyance system.

Objectives of the Project: Project objectives include determining the dominant sealing mechanism(s) and developing a practical decision-making guidance document for the application of polymer within water conveyance systems.

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