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Explore how a water feature could fit into your Ottawa outdoor space, with setting, scale and upkeep as starting points for discussion.
Water Features
A water feature can be a pond, a pondless waterfall, a bubbling rock or urn, or a water wall. Each needs a pump, a way to hold or recirculate water, a power supply and access for cleaning and winter shutdown. The right one depends on the space, the view from the house and seating areas, and how much upkeep suits you. Urban Living Landscaping designs and installs water features in Ottawa and surrounding areas.
Placement, water circulation and access for maintenance are part of considering a feature alongside the rest of your landscape. Talk with us about your setting and the options you would like to explore.
Step By Step
Plan Your Space
Water falls into a gravel-covered reservoir, so there is no open standing water.
An open pool of water, often planted, that can include a waterfall or fountain. Needs more upkeep and safety thought.
A compact feature for small spaces and patios, recirculating from a hidden basin.
Consider views from seating areas and windows, nearby planting and room to move around the feature. Its size should be considered alongside access for cleaning and maintenance.
Discuss how water will circulate, how the feature will be topped up and where equipment could sit. Pump access and any electrical supply need consideration before installation.
Share your ideas, the setting and your questions about upkeep to start a conversation about the project.
Water Feature Questions
For general planning questions, such as what to send and which photos help, see our planning guide.
A smaller fountain or pondless feature may be worth considering where space is limited. Suitability depends on its dimensions, splash, equipment needs and access for maintenance. Consider how it would fit alongside seating, planting and walking routes.
A pondless feature typically circulates water through a concealed reservoir rather than an open pond with standing water. A pond can also recirculate water, so recirculating does not necessarily mean pondless. Both arrangements need maintenance, and neither should be assumed to remove the need for safety considerations.
Every water feature needs maintenance, although the tasks and frequency vary by design and setting. Upkeep can include removing debris, cleaning components, checking water levels and caring for pumps or filters. Discuss the care requirements of a proposed feature before deciding whether it suits you.
Freezing conditions affect how a water feature and its equipment should be prepared for winter. Depending on the design, preparation may involve shutting down circulation, draining components or removing equipment for storage. Follow the equipment manufacturer guidance and discuss winter care for the proposed setup.
Check current City of Ottawa requirements and the applicable Ontario requirements for the proposed feature, including any fencing or barrier provisions. If a pump needs an electrical supply, check the applicable electrical requirements with a qualified electrical contractor. Do not assume that the size or style of a feature makes these checks unnecessary.
Consider views, sound, nearby trees, sunlight and the routes people use through the space. Falling leaves can add to cleaning, while splash may affect adjacent surfaces. Access to equipment and the relationship to existing drainage also deserve discussion.
Send photos of the space, approximate dimensions and your location in Ottawa or the surrounding areas. Include any ideas you have for a pond, fountain or pondless feature, along with how much upkeep you are comfortable with. If known, note nearby water and electrical supplies and any access constraints.
Moving water is less attractive to mosquitoes than still water. Keeping the pump running through the season and clearing debris helps.
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Contact Details
Tell Us About Your Project
Include the area, its rough size, what you would like to change and how the yard is reached. Photos help: email them to [email protected]. See our planning guide.
Landscape design, patios, interlock, retaining walls, water features, outdoor lighting, and fencing and decks in Ottawa and surrounding areas.
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