Water Wise Water Features

• Aim for minimum size, with maximum effect and limited open pans of water.
• Plant water plants that cover the water surface area and reduce evaporation.
• Aim to locate water features in the shade to limit evaporation.
• Design/adjust to ensure that no splashing occurs.
• Swamp type plants cope well with filtering household waste water for example Typha capensis (Bulrush).
• When constructing a pond, use solid surface construction material, for example cement or glass fibre in preference to clay or soil that allows water to infiltrate through it, causing a water loss.

Tips to ensure your water feature does not waste water:

• Fountains with a fine spray or high pressure waterfalls lose a lot of water due to evaporation. Choose fountains with coarse droplets that help reduce atomisation, thereby reducing evaporation.
• Check the level of your pond daily to see if it drops dramatically, and if so check for leaks.
• If your water feature is placed in an area of high wind, this will increase evaporation.
• Check old ponds manufactured of concrete regularly for cracks and leaks.
• Plant water plants that cover the water surface area and reduce evaporation.
• Place one water feature strategically in a focal area to get the greatest effect rather than several scattered around the garden.
• Avoid water features that require a continuous supply of  new water. Aim rather for self-contained, re-circulating  water. For example, avoid the dripping tap type feature that drains into the landscape.
• Dark pigment colours on the inside of water features cause temperatures to rise and encourage evaporation.