Updating water features for water saving - the techniques, tips, and product updates.

How much water does a typical water feature use?

Many factors dictate the typical water usage, clearly the size of the water feature and weather can change this significantly. The style of water feature will also have a large influence on water usage, but broadly speaking a modest residential water feature will typically uses 0.5L– 10L per week.

What techniques can be used to reduce the quantity of water wasted?

The majority of techniques on water usage is dictated by the design of the water feature, rather than what the public can do. A water feature that has little water usage shouldn’t have fountains, as these atomise the water, meaning that it evaporates easily and with the wrong design the water can drift through the air outside the reservoir – water that’s lost for good. Some water features can be turned off over night and this can again reduce consumption. Fountains that have water landing on pebbles tend to use more water as this small film of water on the stones evaporates easily.

How have products been updated to include these techniques?

There can be a compromise between the look and appeal of a water feature against its water usage and also sometimes electrical usage, but with the right design from the outset this can be mitigated and a beautiful design with low water usage can be achieved. Generally speaking those that have no fountains, or just small bubbling style have lower usage. An additional benefit are those designs that have smaller surface areas where the water runs over, reducing the area of evaporation.

Top tips for conserving water?

Depending on the water feature design, collecting rain water is a great way to keep modest water features topped up. We advocate that the water taken from the rain water harvesting is clean and that you don’t stir up any sediment in the storage tank. Whilst water from run off, such as patios can be used, these can sometimes have chemicals from cleaning exercises so we advise against this. Again most of all this is down to choosing the right type of water feature.

Why is this so important?

Water is one of the most precious resources we have, and the easiest and simplest way to reduce water in a garden design would be to remove the water feature completely, but is that the right thing to do? Whilst water usage has to be considered carefully, birds and other animals depend on this equally as much as we do. A water feature can be a beautiful way to give this much needed resource to nature whilst at the same time having your enjoyment of the visual and relaxing sounds they create in the very busy stressful world we live in.

How can these be maintained?

Some water features can be very hard to maintain the look and appeal as it was when first installed. materials like stainless steel provide a contemporary look but even the slightest hint of green water they quickly become unsightly. Realistically chemicals and filtration is required, which comes at expense and a consideration to the enviroment. This shouldn’t be ignored as a potential contender as they still bring the benefits to us and nature, but with the right water feature apart from a simple water top up you shouldn’t need to do anything apart from a simple drain down and cleaning exercise a couple of times a year.

What product you recommend?

Our Specular water feature creates a mirror-like surface, reflecting the sky and upper scenery, with the amalgamation of a bronze patina on a beautiful sculpture. Water trickles over the inner flute calming every space. Cleaver design means it comes all complete, self contained and easy to maintain, with all the important considerations within this article covered on one solution

A beautiful sculpture even before the water is added is key for us. High quality of materials is paramount as well as easy of maintenance. The best water feature is one that can gracefully age over time, requiring no cleaning and just gets better as time goes by. No fountains but using water in a tranquil way is key, such as mirror effects that use the water to reflect the sky and upper surrounding scenery.