Installing a pond or waterfall in your backyard can sound like a lot of extra work, both in the construction and maintenance aspect, but we want you to know the many benefits this type of feature can offer. Did you know that a water feature in your yard can decrease ambient temperature by 3-5 degrees Celsius, which plays a role (albeit small) in combatting climate change? Here are five other reasons why you should consider adding a water feature to your property:
Reduced Noise Pollution
Noise pollution in the city can be a real problem. It’s tough to escape the sounds of the road, the train, or your neighbours yapping dog. The sounds from a flowing waterfall or a babbling fountain can counteract the unwanted noise that you can’t control. In addition to absorbing the external noise, the sound of water is undeniably relaxing, which is why it’s used inside of spa and temples to help with meditation. Why not drown out the stressful noise and turn your backyard into peaceful paradise?
Soothe Your Mind
Every wondered why you feel so refreshed after a day around water? Well the science behind that has to do with the negative ions that flowing water reintroduces into the environment. Without going too deep, here’s the lowdown: electronics such as your air conditioner, space heater, cell phone, computer, printer, tv, etc. (the list goes on and on) deplete the negative ions in the air and produce positive ions (more on ions here). In short, an excess of positively charged ions in your environment can contribute to tiredness and a lack of energy, tension, anxiety and irritability. Positive ions in the air have even been investigated as contributing factors to asthma, allergies, migraines and depression. Alternatively, an abundance of negatively charged ions is said to increase serotonin levels, promote a sense of tranquility, and alleviate depression. Installing a flowing water feature in your backyard can reintroduce those negative ions into your environment and can help tackle the adverse effects of an overabundance of positive ions.
Add Value to Your Property
The textures in your yard can get a little mundane with hard or structured lines coming from your home, deck, pergola, patio, and even the grass blades. Having a flowing water feature introduces a soft and fluid texture into the mix, and therefore adds more visual interest. It’s no secret that well maintained landscaping adds curb appeal to your property, and when the time comes, that curb appeal can add significant value when selling your home. A well-maintained water feature grabs the attention of potential buyers and can contribute to the value they see in your property.
Support Our Local Eco System
All living things need water to survive, which is why water attracts life. By encouraging birds and insects to your yard, you are helping to support life and the ecosystem. Birds need water for drinking and preening, which are both necessary for their survival and overall health. Moving water features also attract good insects like dragon flies, which we actually like to have around because they reduce the population of those pesky mosquitoes.
If that isn’t enough reasons for you to add a water feature, here’s one more.
Remedy Problem Areas
Do you have any problem areas in your yard that are prone to flooding? Or maybe an area where you just can’t keep the grass looking good, no matter how much you’ve tried? Put a water feature min there and those problems vanish. And while it may seem like the pond or fountain require a huge amount of water, it’s only the initial fill that requires a lot of water; maintaining the feature actually requires less water than the lawn would that it replaced. Plus, the water systems and filtration aspect of water features have been steam-lined and simplified, which nulls the excuse of it being “too much work”.
We have lots of experience designing and constructing water features, so give us a shout if you’ve been considering adding one to your property!
Water feature built for a project in Lake Bonavista.
Water feature built for a project in Chapala.
Inspiration Taken From
Gardenerdy. (2018). 6 Important Benefits of Adding Water Features to Landscape Design. Retrieved from Gardenerdy: https://gardenerdy.com/benefits-of-adding-water-features-to-landscape-design
Landscape East and West. (2011). 5 Reasons to Add a Landscape Water Feature. Retrieved from Landscape East and West: https://www.landscapeeast.com/blog/landscape-water-feature-5-reasons-to-add-2011-11
Nation Valley News. (2018). The Benefits of Water Features in Garden Landscapes. Retrieved from Nation Valley News: https://nationvalleynews.com/2018/05/18/lgg2018-benefits-water-features-garden-landscapes/
Negative Ionizers. What are Negative & Positive Ions & How are they Formed? Retrieved from Negative Ionizers: https://negativeionizers.net/negative-and-positive-ions/
The Grounds Guys. (2015). Enjoy the Health Benefits of an Outdoor Water Feature. Retrieved from The Grounds Guys: https://www.groundsguys.com/blog/2015/august/enjoy-the-health-benefits-of-outdoor-water-featu/
Twin Oaks Landscaping. (2019). Five Benefits to Installing an Outdoor Water Feature. Retrieved from Twin Oaks Landscaping: https://www.twinoakslandscape.biz/five-benefits-to-installing-an-outdoor-water-feature/