"Snooze" wrote in message
m...
"newsgroup_reader" wrote in message
...
I have a circa 1940 gardening book with instructions for creating a pool from
sheet lead.

The abutting sheets are to be crimped at 90 degrees, one with 2 inches
overhang, the other with 1 inch. The longer is folded over the shorter, then
both are bent over and soldered along the seam. The pieces are joined
together in that manner into larger sections representing bottom and sides,
which are crimped together and soldered.

Can sheet-lead still be purchased? Would the lead surface oxidize over time,
as in pipes? The book says this will not harm fish, so I assume either
they're are lying, they never tried it, or some sort of patina develops to
prevent lead leaching into the water.

The book says copper can be substituted for lead, but from what I've read
this would also unhealthy for the creatures living in it.

What are your thoughts?

I've added rec.ponds to this, there are plenty of knowledgable people there
who probably know far more then I. I can't imagine that a pond made out of
lead sheets would be safe. Keep in mind that most building codes, atleast
those in america, ban the use of lead based solder in residential plumbing.

An entire pond made out of lead or copper is going to build up a fairly high
level of heavy metals in the water. I suppose you could build the pond shape
out of lead/copper, then line it with a pond liner.

-S

Not only that, but since the water is likely not to meet the EPA's safe water
standards for lead, you then have an expensive disposal problem. If you simply
discard the contaminated water, then you risk contaminating your soil. If you
dump it in the sewer, and your sewer department finds out, then you are going to
be in very hot water. Then there is the problem of trying to sell your house at
a later date when someone asks you about your lead-lined pond.