ASTM D7007-09

Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earth Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Geomembranes are used as impermeable barriers to prevent liquids from leaking from landfills, ponds, and other containments. The liquids may contain contaminants that if released can cause damage to the environment. Leaking liquids can erode the subgrade, causing further damage. Leakage can result in product loss or otherwise prevent the installation from performing its intended containment purpose. For these reasons, it is desirable that the geomembrane have as little leakage as practical.  
Geomembrane leaks can be caused by poor quality of the subgrade, poor quality of the material placed on the geomembrane, accidents, poor workmanship, and carelessness.
The most significant causes of leaks in geomembranes that are covered with only water are related to construction activities including pumps and equipment placed on the geomembrane, accidental punctures, and punctures caused by traffic over rocks or debris on the geomembrane or in the subgrade.
The most significant cause of leaks in geomembranes covered with earth materials is construction damage caused by machinery that occurs while placing the earth material on the geomembrane. Such damage also can breach additional layers of the lining system such as geosynthetic clay liners.
Electrical leak location methods are an effective final quality assurance measure to locate previously undetected or missed leaks.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices describe standard procedures for using electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered with water or earth materials containing moisture.
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location surveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capability. To allow further innovations, and because various leak location practitioners use a wide variety of procedures and equipment to perform these surveys, performance-based operations are used that specify the minimum leak detection performance for the equipment and procedures.  
1.3 These practices require that the leak location equipment, procedures, and survey parameters used are demonstrated to result in an established minimum leak detection sensitivity. The survey shall then be conducted using the demonstrated equipment, procedures, and survey parameters.
1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes covered with earth materials. Separate procedures are given for leak detection sensitivity tests using actual and artificial leaks.  
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, and other containment facilities. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically-insulating materials.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These procedures are potentially VERY DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people at the site.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and d...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2009
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7007-03 - Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earth Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM D7007-15 - Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D7700-22 - Standard Guide for Selecting Test Methods for Geomembrane Seams
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D7909-21a - Standard Guide for Placement of Intentional Leaks During Electrical Leak Location Surveys of Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6747-21 - Standard Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7007 − 09
StandardPractices for
Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes
1
Covered with Water or Earth Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7007; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between
the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded
1.1 These practices describe standard procedures for using
conductor. These procedures are potentially VERY
electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered
DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. The
with water or earth materials containing moisture.
electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location
be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel.
surveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capa-
Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak
bility. To allow further innovations, and because various leak
location operators as well as other people at the site.
location practitioners use a wide variety of procedures and
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
equipmenttoperformthesesurveys,performance-basedopera-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tions are used that specify the minimum leak detection perfor-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mance for the equipment and procedures.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 Thesepracticesrequirethattheleaklocationequipment,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures, and survey parameters used are demonstrated to
resultinanestablishedminimumleakdetectionsensitivity.The 2. Referenced Documents
2
survey shall then be conducted using the demonstrated
2.1 ASTM Standards:
equipment, procedures, and survey parameters.
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys D6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical
for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes Detection of Leaks in Geomembranes
covered with earth materials. Separate procedures are given for
3. Terminology
leak detection sensitivity tests using actual and artificial leaks.
3.1 For general definitions related to geosynthetics, see
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes
Terminology D4439.
installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill
cells, landfill caps, and other containment facilities. The
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
proceduresareapplicableforgeomembranesmadeofmaterials
3.2.1 artificial leak, n—an electrical simulation of a leak in
such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlo-
a geomembrane.
rosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other
3.2.2 current source electrode, n—the electrode that is
electrically-insulating materials.
placed in the water or earth material above the geomembrane.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.3 dipole measurement, n—an electrical measurement
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
made on or in a partially conductive material using two
standard.
closely-spaced electrodes.
1.7 Warning—The electrical methods used for geomem-
3.2.4 earth material, n—sand, gravel, clay, silt, combina-
brane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the
tions of these materials, and similar materials with at least
potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard
minimal moisture for electrical current conduction.
might be increased because operations might be conducted in
3.2.5 leak, n—any unintended opening, perforation, slit,
tear, puncture, crack, hole, cut, or similar breaches through an
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.10onGeomem-
2
branes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published August 2009. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D7007–03. DOI: Standards volumeinformation,refertothestandard’sDocumentSummarypageon
10.1520/D7007-09. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7007 − 09
installed geomembrane. Significant amounts of liq
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D7007–03 Designation: D 7007 – 09
Standard Practices for
Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes
1
Covered with Water or Earth Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 7007; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1Thisstandardpracticedescribes1.1 Thesepracticesdescribestandardproceduresforusingelectricalmethodstolocateleaks
in geomembranes covered with water or earth materials containing moisture.
1.2This standard practice is 1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location surveys are performed with
demonstrated leak detection capability. To allow further innovations, and because various leak location practitioners use a wide
variety of procedures and equipment to perform these surveys, performance-based operations are used that specify the minimum
leak detection performance for the equipment and procedures.
1.3This standard practice requires1.3 These practices require that the leak location equipment, procedures, and survey
parameters used are demonstrated to result in an established minimum leak detection sensitivity. The survey shall then be
conducted using the demonstrated equipment, procedures, and survey parameters.
1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes
covered with earth materials. Separate procedures are given for leak detection sensitivity tests using actual and artificial leaks.
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells,
landfill caps, and other containment facilities. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materials such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically-
insulating materials.
1.6
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential
for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In
particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These
procedures are potentially VERY DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. The electrical methods used for
geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must
be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people at the site.
1.7
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4439
D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D6747
D 6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Detection of Potential Leak Paths in Geomembranes
3. Terminology
3.1
3.1 For general definitions related to geosynthetics, see Terminology D 4439.
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published August 2009. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 7007–03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7007–09
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1
3.2.1 artificial leak, n—an electrical simulation of a leak in a geomembrane.
3.1.2
3.2.2 current source electrode, n—the electrode that is placed in the water or earth mate
...