Are Backyard Water Features Worth It?

Here in Manitoba, outdoor water is frozen for 4 to 6 months a year. Our frigid winters don’t lend themselves to relaxing out on the back porch in the middle of January. 

This, understandably, leads many Manitobans to wonder whether or not backyard water features are worth installing. 

The answer to that question is complicated—that’s why we’ve dedicated this whole blog to helping you find the answer for yourself. You see, whether or not water features are “worth it” depends entirely on what you’re trying to get out of them. 

In our experience, water features are often worth the cost of installation—we’ve had many satisfied customers over the years. Let’s start by taking a look at some of the most commonly installed water features here in Manitoba:

Water Features in Manitoba

It’s possible to install a wide variety of water features here in Manitoba. Some of the most common are:

• Ponds

• Water fountains

• Waterfalls

We’re not going to talk about pools—they’re quite common, but they fall a little outside of how we categorize water features.

Ponds

Ponds may be the most versatile water feature in Manitoba. They’re highly scalable, so they can be placed in backyards of any size. Most ponds are full ecosystems—feats of landscaping that include water, plants, rocks, and sometimes even fish.

Many Manitobans are surprised to learn that they can install koi ponds. When built properly, your koi pond can act as a home for koi fish (or other fish) even throughout the winter. Koi ponds built in Manitoba require proper aeration, and they need to be built quite deep—they are, nonetheless, becoming more and more popular.

You can also build a pond to swim in, filtered naturally with rocks, plants, and bacteria. Getting a swimming pond as a water feature is a great alternative to a swimming pool, as they tend to require less upkeep. We’ve done a lot of landscaping in Winnipeg, and ponds are often just the showstopper we need to tie a backyard together. 

Water Fountains

Getting a permanently installed backyard fountain isn’t as costly as you might think. Permanently installed fountains are among the most tranquil water features; water is constantly recycled by a pump just below the fountain, so your water bill won’t skyrocket. 

You’ve probably seen the permanently installed fountains by the Legislative Building and in and around Downtown Winnipeg—they’re completely feasible for our city. Just be sure to turn your fountain off in the winter! 

Waterfalls

Waterfalls can be integrated into ponds or created as standalone water features. Like water fountains, waterfalls feature a built-in pump to circulate water; this means they have little effect on your water bill.

Other Water Features

Anything from a birdbath to an infinity pool can be considered a water feature. You can buy a permanent water feature or a portable water feature. Talk to your landscaper about the kinds of features you’re interested in installing; they’ll help you choose the right one.

Why You Should Install a Water Feature

Now that we know what the most common water features are, we can start talking about why they’re worth it. 

Aesthetics

Water features are incredibly aesthetically appealing. They look beautiful, they sound beautiful, and they can even serve as homes for birds, fish, and other wildlife. With proper landscaping, your water feature can be integrated seamlessly with your yard, creating a unique and striking oasis right beside your home.

The relaxing sound of a water feature can help you destress both inside and outside your home. Most homeowners interested in purchasing water features love how they look, sound, and feel.

Your home is your sanctuary—if aesthetics matter, a water feature may well be worth the expense.

Return on Investment

A water feature can boost curb appeal and add aesthetic value to your home. These features are particularly appealing to people who love nature and wildlife. Solar-powered pumps and aerators could make the features particularly attractive to people who value a greener lifestyle—and there’s a lot of overlap between eco-conscious and nature-loving folk.

To truly get the best return on investment for your water feature, though, you’ll want to find a real estate agent who understands the value of these enhancements. Look for someone who can connect you with the type of buyer we described above. 

These buyers tend to appreciate water features; with an agent who explains the benefits of these features to potential buyers, your home will stand out from others on the market. Increasing property value through landscape design is often a good idea, and water features are a great way to do that. 

The Disadvantages of Installing a Water Feature

Upfront Cost

The upfront cost of a water feature can be steep, depending on the type of feature you’re installing. While a water fountain may cost less than $3000, a pond is likely to cost $10,000 or more. That’s a significant investment—one you should only make if you’re sure you want a water feature.

Maintenance

When your water feature is properly installed, maintenance costs should be relatively low; most homeowners find these costs manageable. Nonetheless, you can’t have a water feature without plumbing systems of some kind, and these systems come with some maintenance concerns. Your landscaper will talk you through them; it may be as little as changing filters on an aerator regularly.

Conclusion

Many factors play into the decision to purchase a water feature or not. Adding a water feature isn’t a simple decision, but in our experience, when a homeowner installs one for their own personal enjoyment or for their family, they love it. If you are looking into adding a water feature to your backyard, don’t hesitate to contact Bulger Brothers. We will be more than happy to help you design and install any water feature on your property!