Designing Water Features That Last: How to Minimize Maintenance Burden and Build Client Confidence
A few years ago, I visited a park that had clearly been designed with love. Mature trees framed winding paths, there were artful benches, and at the heart of it all was meant to be a beautiful fountain. But when I arrived, I didn’t hear the sound of water — I saw a flower bed. The basin was filled with soil and seasonal blooms, a quiet sign that somewhere along the way, the fountain had been abandoned.
This isn’t an isolated story. Across cities, campuses, and commercial plazas, water features that once drew crowds and cameras are being turned off, repurposed, or even demolished. The reason? Maintenance.
Landscape architects and designers know this fear well. They can create stunning plans, but if a fountain becomes a burden, it reflects poorly on the entire design team. That’s why water features are often value-engineered out of projects entirely. But here’s the truth: Maintenance fear doesn’t mean fountains should disappear. It means we need to design them better.
In this article, we’ll dig deep into strategies for minimizing maintenance burden and building client confidence — from choosing reliable equipment to smart site placement. Because a water feature that’s designed well, maintained easily, and thoughtfully located can outlive trends, add vibrancy to a space, and ensure your design legacy lasts.
The Maintenance Hurdle: Why Fountains Get Cut From Projects
Fountains are often the first line item removed when budgets tighten or when client concerns surface. And it’s not because fountains aren’t loved — they’re consistently a top feature requested by communities and visitors. The issue is that water features are seen as risky:
“They’ll be expensive to maintain.”
“No one on staff will know how to operate it.”
“What if it fails?”
These are valid concerns, especially for clients who have seen fountains fall into disrepair elsewhere. Maintenance is not just a line on a budget — it’s a perception issue. A fountain that turns green, leaks, or sits stagnant undermines a project’s success and, ultimately, the landscape architect’s reputation.
This fear drives a common cycle: a designer sketches a fountain, the client gets nervous, the fountain is cut. But cutting fountains entirely is not the solution. The solution is designing with maintenance in mind from day one.
Designing for Reliability: Choosing Equipment That Won’t Fail You
One of the best ways to ease client fears is to specify equipment with a proven track record. In the world of water features, reliability is everything.
Choose pumps, filters, and sterilization systems that have nationwide distribution, easy-to-access parts, and strong manufacturer support. A pump or control board that takes three weeks to replace isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a black eye on the entire design team.
Equipment that’s been widely used in the pool industry often makes an excellent choice for fountains. Pool operators are everywhere, pool equipment is familiar, and spare parts are readily available. This gives clients confidence that their maintenance team won’t be dealing with exotic or proprietary systems they’ve never seen before.
When possible, avoid ultra-specialized components that lock clients into one vendor or manufacturer for every repair. While proprietary gear can sometimes offer advanced features, the downside is that when it breaks, it stays broken longer.
Reliability isn’t just about equipment quality; it’s about ensuring support and serviceability. Design choices that anticipate a part failing — and make it easy to fix — are what separate a “problem feature” from a “signature feature.”
Simplicity Over Complexity: Design for the People Who Maintain It
Even the best-designed fountain in the world is only as good as the team maintaining it. If a system is overly complicated, it won’t be maintained correctly.
That’s why I advocate for systems that can be run by someone familiar with pool equipment rather than requiring specialized fountain technicians with years of niche training. Simplicity is an asset — not a limitation.
When laying out a system:
Label pipes and valves clearly.
Design mechanical rooms with easy access to pumps and filters.
Avoid the temptation to over-engineer for “wow factor” at the expense of usability.
The goal is for a maintenance technician to walk into the pump room and feel confident. Clear, logical layouts and standard parts reduce the risk of mistakes, save time, and ultimately save money.
Automation Done Right: A Helping Hand, Not a Headache
Automation has become a buzzword in water feature design, and for good reason — it can take a tremendous load off maintenance teams. But automation should be applied intentionally.
Reliable automation systems can manage:
Water chemistry dosing
Filtration schedules
Pump operations
UV sterilization control
But here’s the key: Automation should be a tool to simplify work, not create complexity. Choose commercial-grade automation systems with a proven track record in pools and fountains. Cutting-edge technology is great — but if it fails or requires a proprietary service technician, it becomes a liability.
When designed correctly, automation gives clients confidence because they know their fountain will run consistently without demanding daily manual oversight.
Location, Location, Location: Designing with the Environment in Mind
One of the most overlooked contributors to fountain maintenance is where it’s placed.
A stunning plaza fountain under a row of mature oaks may look beautiful on opening day, but every autumn it becomes a maintenance nightmare. Similarly, a fountain near an open field may be constantly clogged with grass clippings blown in from weekly mowing.
When selecting a fountain site, consider:
Seasonal leaf drop from nearby trees
Dust, pollen, and debris patterns
Prevailing winds (which can increase evaporation and spray drift)
Shade, which affects algae growth
Designing with these factors in mind can dramatically reduce cleaning requirements and help a fountain remain inviting, not frustrating.
Acknowledging the Reality: Maintenance Is Inevitable, But It Can Be Manageable
Here’s the truth: All fountains require maintenance. No amount of clever design will eliminate the need for cleaning, chemical checks, or occasional part replacement. But that doesn’t mean fountains need to be a burden.
Good design creates systems that feel intuitive to maintain. It makes operators want to keep them running. It turns maintenance from a dreaded chore into a predictable routine.
Part of this equation is honest communication with clients. Set realistic expectations early on:
“Here’s the cleaning schedule you’ll need.”
“Here’s how we’ve simplified operations.”
“Here’s who you can call if something fails.”
When clients understand the plan and see that their design team has thought ahead, their confidence skyrockets.
The “Planter Effect”: Why Poorly Designed Fountains Fail
We’ve all seen them: beautiful fountains turned into planters, gravel pits, or empty basins. When a fountain fails, it isn’t just a disappointment — it’s a reputation problem.
No landscape architect wants their name associated with a project that had to be shut down or repurposed. Clients lose confidence. Visitors see neglect. And the narrative becomes, “Fountains just don’t work here.”
The irony is that these failures often trace back to design decisions. Overly complex systems, poor site placement, and a lack of planning for easy maintenance lead to abandonment.
With proper design, fountains don’t need to become liabilities. They can become centerpieces that elevate the entire space for decades.
Why It’s Worth the Effort: Fountains Build Legacy
Fountains are more than decoration. They create gathering spaces, photo opportunities, and emotional connections. They make plazas lively, campuses inviting, and parks memorable.
By designing fountains that are easy to maintain, you’re not just solving a maintenance problem — you’re unlocking long-term value for your clients and protecting your reputation as a designer.
A well-designed fountain that’s still running beautifully 15 years after installation says more about your work than any marketing brochure ever could.
Call to Action: Choose a Team That Designs for Success
Designing a fountain is not just about creating beauty; it’s about creating a system that works behind the scenes.
That’s why working with an experienced water feature design team is critical. Specialists understand not only the hydraulics and mechanics but also the practical realities of maintenance and operation. Together, you can create water features that:
Delight visitors
Earn client trust
Stand the test of time
Because when a fountain succeeds, everyone wins — the client, the landscape architect, the maintenance staff, and, most importantly, the people who get to enjoy it every single day.