Golf Course Lake Liner with HDPE Geomembrane in Bali

Background: Aesthetics and Function

Located in the world-class tourist area of Badung Regency, this golf course demands very high aesthetic standards, and its lake liner had to match. The man-made lake was built for two purposes: to store water and to enhance the visual appeal of the overall landscape.

The soil in the area is fairly porous, which means that if water were simply held on ordinary soil, it would quickly seep into the ground and dry up in the dry season. A waterproof layer able to hold a large volume of water for decades was therefore needed. The materials chosen for this heavy-duty job were premium geosynthetic products.

Site Challenge: A Winding Shoreline

Every project has its own challenges. For this golf course lake, the biggest one lay in its landscape architecture. To achieve a very natural look resembling a real lake, the shoreline was designed with highly winding, asymmetrical curves.

This made installing the lining system very challenging. Geomembrane is essentially a fairly stiff polymer sheet. Making it follow sharp, winding contours requires very careful welding so the geomembrane still works optimally as a waterproof layer. Poorly managed folds not only risk future leaks but can also spoil the lake’s appearance.

In addition, the landscape design called for decorative natural stones placed on top of the waterproof layer. This added the risk of tearing from sharp objects, both from the subgrade and from the stone layer above.

Geosynthetic Solution for Safety

To overcome these challenges, the team applied a combination of two protective layers that work together.

1. Soil Protection: Geotextile PET 300 gsm

Before the main layer was installed, the entire subgrade was covered with Non-Woven Geotextile PET 300 gsm. This material has a thick, carpet-like texture and serves as a cushion. The geotextile separates the subgrade from the geomembrane layer.

Not only underneath: the geotextile is also used to protect the geomembrane from the cover material above it. With this 300 grams per square meter PET (polyethylene terephthalate) protection, the risk of the geomembrane being punctured by sharp stone edges or roots in the future is fully prevented.

2. Waterproof Layer: 1 mm HDPE Geomembrane

With the protective cushion ready, the main player was deployed: HDPE Geomembrane 1 mm thick. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) was chosen for its outstanding resistance to UV and chemicals and for enough flexibility to be pulled and adjusted.

A 1 mm thickness is the sweet spot for decorative lake projects: thick enough to withstand high hydrostatic water pressure, yet flexible enough to follow the winding lake contours. The installers on site used hot wedge welder machines for straight runs and an extrusion welder for curves and pipe details, ensuring every seam was 100% sealed.

Final Result: Uncompromised Golf Course Lake Liner Aesthetics

Thanks to the right material planning and neat installation, the man-made lake at this golf course in Badung, Bali was completed with satisfying results. The water is retained perfectly, with no sign of water loss from seepage into the soil.

Most importantly, the combination of HDPE Geomembrane and Non-Woven Geotextile allows decorative elements such as natural stones and aquatic plants to sit and grow in harmony. The result is a man-made ecosystem that looks completely natural, offering an exclusive, cool and visually pleasing golf experience. You would hardly notice that advanced lining technology is hidden right beneath those beautiful stones.