Pump it up
A water feature’s recirculation system must be efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Designers should aim to make the bottom of the pond greater in surface area than the rest of the stream and pond surfaces combined. This ensures the water elevation of the bottom pond (from which the recirculation system draws water) will not significantly drop during startup.
Pumps should be installed in a chamber or vault separate from the pond, assuming it is practical to do so. A separate housing serves as a dry chamber for surface pumps or a wet sump for submersible pumps. A balancing pipe connecting the pond to the tank or vault will allow water to be drawn from the pond into the pump. In either event, a connected tank, set adjacent to the pond, can be used to house a top-up and overflow system. An adjustable weir plate or pipe with a sliding collar will fine tune the water elevation. Designers should look for energy-efficient, low-pressure, high-volume water circulation pumps. Solar-powered pumps are also a good environmentally conscious option—the hotter the sun, the stronger the flow and more refreshing the sound.
A bright future
With such a wealth of experience and natural inspiration to draw upon, the industry standards and workmanship in the water feature industry is improving yearly. As designers produce more daring designs and improve execution in their aquatic endeavours, the ponds, streams and waterfalls that grace modern backyards will continue to impress.
Anthony Archer-Wills is a water garden designer specializing in water gardens, formal gardens, natural gardens and waterfalls and streams. He can be reached via e-mail at aaw@archerwills.com.
