Splashing Out During Drought!

By Author: Danielle Dickinson
Total Articles: 7
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Splashing Out During Drought

Drought and water restrictions have raised the level of
concern regarding creating water features in home gardens.
Many people are under the mistaken assumption that water
features are a contradiction to water conscious gardening.
While there is truth in the fact that large, cascading
waterfalls and far spraying fountains are not particularly
water efficient. The carefully planned water feature can
save water!

Creating a water feature in your garden can be beneficial
not only to the overall look of your garden but to the
environment! A properly designed, installed & maintained
water feature can not only save water but create a haven for
wildlife already struggling to find water in the drought.

Water Gardening Myths Debunked!

Water features use to much water

Consider how much water is required to keep plants, lawn or
even pot plants alive. Apart from the initial fill of your
water feature, a properly designed and constructed water
feature will require just ...
... the occasional top up. It is a
common belief that water features are connected to water
mains and are constantly using water. A water feature should
always have a pump and a sump or reservoir that recycles the
water.

The bigger the feature the better

There is no need to create the Trevi Fountain in your
garden; with water a little goes a long way. Often a smaller
feature such as a millstone, patio feature or container
water feature strategically placed is more then enough to
satisfy the desire for the look and sound of water in a
garden.

Designing a water friendly water feature

The first step here is to check with local authorities
before designing your feature. Local council often imposes
regulations that must be heeded. Container gardens are
unlikely to require approval or be regulated by councils.

Things to consider

1.Placement - it is best to site your feature away from
wind and sun (unless using aquatic plants) to reduce water
evaporation. Also consider the location of underground
utilities eg. Electricity, Phone line, Gas etc.
2.Size - when designing wildlife ponds a larger body of
water is easier to maintain than a smaller one. Container
features containing no wildlife or plants require only
minimum amounts of water and can be kept clean with water
treatments.
3.Containers: Container water features tend to have no
wildlife or plants and therefore only require minimal
amounts of water and can be kept clean with simple water
treatments.
4.Water depth - exposed shallow water heats up and
evaporates quickly. For wildlife ponds (aquatic and plant
life) a minimum depth of 45cm is required.
5.Splash - Splash causes water waste of criminal
proportions. Consider features less likely to cause
splashing eg. Trickling waterfalls rather than Niagara
Falls!
6.Shape - although the overall shape is a matter of taste,
consideration should be given to the vertical aspects of
your feature. Sloping sides (eg. beach effect) produces
shallow, warm water that evaporates quickly. If creating a
wildlife pond rocks can be used as platforms to allow
wildlife access to the water.
7.Fountains / Water Jets - although fountain jets look
great, a bubbler or spout can be just as effective and loses
little or no water from your feature.
8.Creeks and streams - can be wasteful. As the sun heats
rocks and pebbles it warms the water resulting in
evaporation. If you must have a creek, consider locating it
in a shaded part of the garden and making it deep enough to
reduce splash.
9.Council regulations: Don't forget to check with local
authorities before designing your water feature, as some
councils have regulations that must be headed.

Saving Water

It is imperative that your water feature is constructed
properly and with water conservation in mind. Whether you
feature is a small natural wildlife pond or a designer
contemporary water feature mistakes can be made that will
waste vast amounts of water, even without your knowledge. It
is often wiser and less frustrating to call in the
professionals at this stage to ensure proper construction!

Top Water Saving Tips

1.Plants - if you must site a pond in a full sun position
it would be wise to use aquatic plants that float on the
water surface (such as lilies) to minimize evaporation by
stopping the sun's heat.
2.Fountains - if you must have a fountain ensure that the
pond/reservoir is large enough to catch the splash. It is
best to avoid fountains that spray in the air altogether.
3.Pumps - use a submersible pond pump appropriate for the
size and desired effect of your feature. Speak with a water
garden specialist to size your pump correctly.
4.Eco Systems - create a balanced eco system in wildlife
ponds with the aid of bio-logical filters etc to keep water
clarity and eliminate the need to empty or partially empty
the pond for cleaning.
5.Pets & Children - everyone loves water and this is
especially true of pets and children. Children and pets love
to play in water features, wasting the water or worse still,
causing leakage.
6.Leaks - proper construction should mean you have a leak
proof water feature. Keep an eye on your water level for
significant drops that indicate leaks that need attending
to.
7.Timers - can save water and energy by running the feature
only at times when you are present.
8.Wind Breaks - hedging or planting can be placed around
your water feature as a wind break. This prevents
unnecessary evaporation. Be careful to choose no-toxic and
non-invasive plants.
9.Still Water - the soothing qualities of still water in a
reflection pond can be just as effective as moving water. If
keeping fish or plants use an oxygenator (air pump) as well
as a pump to keep live giving oxygen in the water.
10.Topping Up - a catchment container for rainwater can be
used to top up your water feature.
11.Pipes and Connections - make sure all pipes and
connections are securely fixed to eliminate dripping pipes
12.Frog Ponds - are not only water efficient but help to
protect declining frog populations. Frog ponds also attract
other wildlife such as lizards, skinks and birds.

Some Great Ideas

oDecorate around your water feature creatively with
interesting objects that need no water at all, such as
rocks, bricks, gravel and deck areas.

oCheck your water feature regularly for crack, leaks and
maintenance problems that may lead to water loss.

oConsider using xeriscape (drought tolerant) plants such as
Liriope around your water feature.

oInstall a pond rather than a bird bath - bird baths
evaporate quickly and need constant re-filling. Ponds are
beneficial to more wildlife than just birds.

oArtificial waterfalls will splash less than rock
waterfalls as they have been manufactured to direct water
flow.

oUse preformed ponds in small ponds to reduce the risk of
liner pierce or concrete cracking.

oRemember, aquatic plants don't need to be watered!

Add some life and soul to your garden!

Water features, rather than wasting water, generally use
less water than any other part of the garden. A well planned
and managed pond can be a haven for troubled wildlife in
times of drought.

One of the nicest, not-to-be-ignored benefits of water
gardening is purely psychological. Just when everything else
seems dried-out and arid, your water garden can be a quiet
haven of relaxation, your own backyard oasis.


About the Author Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on Buidling and Maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.