If you don’t have room for a pond in your garden, you can still enjoy the pleasant sound of water by installing a simple water feature. Kits for features like pebble pools are readily available or you can buy the components separately and construct one yourself. Small children and water features don’t mix – so think about a plant feature instead if you have kids.
A water pump: The size of the water pump is determined by the proposed feature. Solar-powered pumps are available but may not pump enough water for your purposes. Mains-powered pumps should be fitted by a qualified electrician unless a low-voltage type is used and protected by a residual current device.
A sump: A sump is used to collect and hold all the water in the system. The collecting area to collect the splashing water should be as wide as the outlet is high.
A pipe: You will need to run a pipe from the pump to an outlet nozzle.
- A sunny position will bring out colours on wet stones and pebbles.
- Try to locate your feature reasonably close to an electricity outlet.
Sink feature: An old enamelled sink can be very effective as a water feature. The pump sits inside the sink with the outlet pipe emerging through the plug hole (sealed to prevent leaks). The outlet could be the tap, or a plaque on an adjacent wall. Water then cascades into the sink.
Large pots: A similar arrangement could be constructed inside a large wide-brimmed pot with the outlet in the centre, creating a fountain or bubble effect.
Pebble ponds: These consist of a sunken reservoir with a fountain on top. A liner is laid sloping into the sump – wide enough to collect splashing water – and covered in pebbles. Alternatively, have water bubbling from a hole in the top of a large stone. Imitation stones made out of plastic are available and look very effective.
Design your own
Using the principles above it is quite easy to construct your own design. A pebble tower can be made by drilling holes in large pebbles that are held vertically by a piece of copper piping. A plastic pipe leads up from the pump to an outlet at the top and water streams down the sculpture.
- Pumps need periodic cleaning and maintenance.
- Empty the water out of your feature in winter to avoid freezing.