The recovery and processing of raw materials involves the production of a series of by and end products, which require environmentally safe storage. Because of the high toxic chemical content of these products, these storage basins must be lined for groundwater protection purposes.

Examples of industrial sludge basins would include basins for storing sludges from water treatment processes, effluent treatment processes, dredgings, drilling mud, mine tailings and chemical and metallurgical processes. After the basin has been filled and the sludge has dried, the basin can be capped to enable recultivation of the area, prevention of wind blow contamination and stop future production of contaminated effluents.