Waterscaping: Challenges and Solutions
What it takes to create art with water
Man-made burbling waterfalls, bubbling fountains, and babbling brooks…
Looking at the graceful fish swimming relaxedly in the crystal-clear waters of a pond in a park, one might enter a state of quiet contemplation on the beauty of nature.
But that spell of serenity would not have existed without the efforts of waterscapes, who use their skills to create stunning works of functional art with the life-giving liquid.
What is Waterscaping?
Waterscaping is a branch of landscaping dealing with the incorporation of water features into a landscape. Ponds steams, fountains, swimming pools, waterfalls, water gardens, and even wetlands are constructed to highlight the water as a fundamental element in the design.
Water adds to the tranquility of a place and encourages a calmer mental state in people. Hence, waterscape features are popularly integrated into residential and public gardens, parks, and commercial premises. Although closely related to aquascaping, the differentiating factor is that waterscape is mostly done outdoors. A knowledge of botany comes of great service to waterscapers as they frequently have to deal with aquatic and also terrestrial plants, which help to create a smooth transition between the water and the surrounding land.
Below are some challenges of the waterscape, together with the solutions:
Safety
- Challenges: Despite their beauty, waterscapes can pose the threat of drowning. Somebody might accidentally slip and fall, and drown in the water, especially if the depth is greater. Jagged rocks, thorny plants, and any electrical components too can prove hazardous.
- Solutions: Usage of slip-resistant materials like stones that are porous and textured, providing grip for walking. Rubber decking and pavers too can be used. Traction can be further increased by treating materials with a non-slip coating. Install appropriate lighting. Educate users through warning signs and safety guidelines.
Costs
- Challenges: Waterscaping costs may drain money because of the variety of materials and the customization required. Pricey permits may be mandatory for some locations. The frequent upkeep that waterscaping projects demand will also add to the expenses.
- Solutions: Bigger budgets do not always equate to better waterscapes. You can minimize expenditures by using naturally available materials like stones and boulders. Choosing the right location would remove the need for costly excavation work. Using alternative water sources such as recycled water is an option too. A minimalistic design could be just as visually appealing as a complex one.
Water quality
- Challenges: Few like the sight of a polluted green pond teeming with an excess of algae.
- Solutions: Swimming pools can be divided into a regeneration zone (with water-filtering aquatic plants) and a swimming zone (without plants). Have enough plants that will out-compete the algae for nutrients but make sure to maintain the right balance between plants and water. Test pH levels regularly. Limit light to combat algal bloom. Pool covers can be installed in swimming pools. In ponds, the leaves of plants like water lilies will provide much shade.
Maintenance
- Challenges: Regular maintenance can become a chore, as well as expensive. A period of neglect can have adverse effects on the waterscapes.
- Solutions: Create low-maintenance waterscapes. Pick locations away from trees and shrubs so that less debris falls into the water, which will remove the need for frequent cleanings. Consider using a skimmer. Choose fish that are compatible with your local ecosystem. Know what kind of water temperatures they can handle. For sunny regions, choose fish that are not affected by bright light. For wetter climates, pick fish that can thrive despite a lot of rain. Plants that require less pruning and fertilizer will make maintenance easy.
Environmental impact
- Challenges: Poor waterscaping can have a disastrous impact on the environment. In a world where over 2 billion people have only limited access to safe drinking water, waterscaping projects that use excessive water will only exacerbate the problem. Another issue with water scaping is that exotic species can become invasive.
- Solutions: Stick to native species– which will also lower the budget besides environmental benefits. If foreign species must be utilized, consider less aggressive plants and fishes and also create barriers to prevent them from propagating outside the waterscape. Rainwater harvesting can provide a free source of water. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants that grow on the edges of water features to reduce the need for watering. Consider using recirculation systems for features like waterfalls. These will also prevent the buildup of stagnant water. The strategic use of shade can also lower the rate of evaporation and water loss.
Finally, it all comes down to design and planning. A good design that takes into consideration site conditions and intended use by the client will go a long way to create superior work at lower costs. And, if problems are identified and solutions are found before the commencement of the actual work, a lot of manpower and money can be saved. Here’s a quote by Steve jobs, that underscores the importance of design, not just in water scaping but in all fields:
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like, design is how it works” — Steve Jobs
About the author: Akhoy Jyoti Chaudhury is the creator of Balding Green Hills (https://www.baldinggreenhills.com/). He grew up in the hills of North-east India, and couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the deforestation and the balding heads of people. He decided it was time he did something about the issue.
