Banks and rims. Over the years, we have developed methods of bank and rim construction to suit every challenge and demand presented by this visually vital part of any pond, stream or watercourse whether natural or lined (The bit between the rims is, after all, just water). The conjunction between land and water determines how the feature sits in the surrounding landscape.

Bespoke water features. An architectural piece, a pot, a sculpture. Combine any of these (and other) ingredients with the sight and/or sound of water, sympathetically installed in the environment, to enliven and invigorate both the space in which it is placed and the spirit of those that view it.  In addition to making original designs, we also work around existing pieces.

Bog gardens. The habitat offered by a stand-alone bog garden or a boggy area at the rim of a pond or stream (whether natural or lined) provides a fantastic opportunity to add to the variety and interest of the flora (and fauna) in the garden. We design, build and plant bog gardens.

Bridges and jetties. Sensitively located in the landscape and integrated into the water garden, pond or stream, a bridge or jetty can make a feature of interest in itself as well as serving some practical purpose. Both can be adapted to provide sitting areas over water. We design, build and install bridges and jetties from green (uncured) oak, other hardwoods, stone, brick and steel for both pedestrian and machinery use.

Child safe ponds. A body of water attracts children (as it does adults) and offers opportunity for fun and education. At the same time it represents a hazard. There are several grid systems that can be fitted to a pond (of almost any shape or size) to ameliorate the risks. There is always an aesthetic penalty to pay for such installations although some are less intrusive than others. Our preferred option, in every case where it is practicable and can be incorporated into the overall design of the garden, is to create a child-proof, adult-friendly space around the water.

Clean out. See Silt removal (below).

Concrete ponds. Most new ponds, in garden settings, are not built as concrete structures as they once were. It is, however, possible to replicate the concrete pond "look" should that be desired. Repair and rehabilitation of decaying or defunct concrete ponds can be worthwhile where the feature to be restored has merit. Often the "death" of a concrete pond offers a splendid opportunity for redesign.

Contemplation pools. Limpid water in a tranquil and still setting. A simple concept which requires precise and thoughtful design.

Leisure    -   William Henry Davies
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Convert swimming pool to pond. Conversion, usually involving some repair work, presents a wonderful opportunity to integrate an outdoor pool into the landscape as a spectacular pond. Depending on the situation of the existing pool, it may be possible to convert it to a swimming pond for summer use.

Duck ponds. A few (very few) duck naturally taking up residence in and around a large, well stocked wildlife pond can only enhance the enjoyment of those who observe them. A few more duck, pinioned and fed in and around the same pond will overload the balanced ecosystem and turn the pond into a disaster area. Just as with fish, overstocking and feeding injures the health of the pond. Filtration and other augmentation of the natural ecosystem is required if the desire is to keep duck and have a beautiful pond.

Feature ponds. A portmanteau description of a type (style) of pond combined with one or more specified elements such as; a raised pond with lilies and fountain; wildlife pond with jetty; natural pond with boathouse and island.

Filtration. Filtration is required to restore or maintain the delicate balance of an aquatic ecosystem which is disrupted or placed under stress by high fish stock levels, fish feeding, lack of plants etc. Maintenance of good water quality should be well thought-out at the design stage of a new feature. Where water quality is poor in an existing feature, upgrading or retro-fitting of a filtration system is indicated. We have been specifying, updating and installing filtration systems since 1980.

Gravel bed filtration. Gravel bed (and sand) filtration systems are used the world over for purification of water for drinking purposes. In spite of the high levels of maintenance required by these systems, there is a niche for them in the field of water gardens and ponds particularly where excellent clarity is required by the purist or where installation of such a system overcomes the problem of installing an unsightly alternative.

Filtration units. There are filtration units on the market for every conceivable application and as with most things, you get what you pay for. Every year the manufacturers strive to make their products more user-friendly and efficient. It is essential that consideration is made of all relevant factors prior to deciding to opt for a particular filter and pump combination. Installation should be made to maximise the effect of the chosen system and in such a way that the workings are hidden from view and do not detract from the aesthetic of the feature.

Reed bed filtration. Natural reed beds were used by the Chinese and Egyptians to clarify water thousands of years ago. The first recorded “built” system was made around 1900. Applied to ponds and lakes, reed bed filtration is simply an augmentation of the natural system, plant life and beneficial bacteria servicing the nitrogen cycle requirement of the feature. Both vertical flow and horizontal flow systems are feasible allowing flexibility in design and full integration into the landscape.

Fishing ponds. In addition to the obvious concomitant ecosystem management issues, consideration must be given to such concerns as accessibility and aesthetics. A delicate balancing act.

Formal ponds. Taking inspiration from classical architecture with strong geometric lines and symmetry, this style of pond is a close relation of the ornamental pond. A key ingredient is the placing of the sky on the ground by reflection. In the right setting, with detailed craftsmanship displayed in construction, the effect can be stunning. The modern interpretation of this style retains the geometric structure but often loses the symmetry. Rehabilitation and construction of these features is always stimulating.

Fountains. The sight and sound of a properly conceived and well positioned fountain can provide movement, sound, light and visual vigour. (Examples: A simple single jet, a complex array, a stand-alone architectural or sculptural feature, a counterpoint to, or enhancement of, an existing "aquascape". We design and install fountains in new and existing ponds and lakes.

Garden ponds. Usually describing ponds of a semi-formal nature in a small garden, probably including some sort of moving water. If these are well thought out, this type of pond can both enhance and enliven a small garden space. The construction must be made in sensitive juxtaposition with its setting without making a statement that is too bold.

Ground water management. In areas of seasonal or continuous high water table or where the ground is partially water retentive, it is necessary to regulate the water level outside a lined pond in order to prevent the liner rising. We routinely design and install such systems at the construction stage as required and are adept at engineering solutions to this problem in existing ponds.

Indoor ponds. Where there is sufficient space, an indoor pond or water feature can add character and charm particularly to a conservatory or a dining hall. We design and build indoor cold-water ponds, not aquaria.

Islands. The romance of an island appeals to most. An island can be a place of privacy, solitude, retreat, contrast. Islands provide fantastic excuses (reasons) for bridges, jetties, stepping stones and boats in addition to providing a sanctuary for wildlife. We build islands and floating islands in natural and lined ponds.

Koi ponds. Koi carp ponds are much more than simple tanks within which to house the fish. These demanding fish require a carefully controlled environment especially so as the average Koi pond is, by normal fish keeping standards, very heavily stocked. Add considerations about the value of the stock and it is immediately apparent that great care in the design of the support (and backup) systems is of utmost importance. All we ask of Koi carp keepers, is that they look outside the pond itself and design the pond to integrate into the surrounding landscape at the same time as providing the perfect habitat for their fish.

Lakes. We describe both ponds and lakes as ponds.

Landscapes attendant on water. A well-designed water feature must fit within, and enhance, the landscape space in which it is placed. It is clearly of utmost importance to consider this requirement at the design stage. We undertake work on water-attendant landscapes as a matter of routine whether we are building from scratch or simply beautifying an existing feature. Our teams are experienced in all aspects of general landscape work.

Leak location and repair. Since 1980 (when we started working in and around water) we have repaired leaks in water features ranging from stone troughs and all types of lined and built ponds, lakes and watercourses through to natural streams, earth dams, and other water control structures. Finding leaks, particularly in watercourses, can be difficult. We have developed a unique Leak Location Test Protocol which identifies the immediate area (or areas) of a watercourse from which water is being lost, with consequent reduction in repair costs. Sometimes the causes of leaks are extraordinary – a tractor and flail mower in a lined pond, a child “gone fishing” with a pitchfork in a lined pond, and a trailer-load of portable chemical loos being driven into a lined pond are all recent examples!

Lily ponds. Lilies do not tolerate running water or being drenched from above (fountain). Most ponds will support lily growth provided that the depth for planting suits the variety of lily. Big fish (especially Koi carp) will uproot lilies unless the lily is protected or very mature.

Lined ponds. To retain water where it does not naturally sit requires a waterproof membrane of some sort. That having been said, it is always possible completely to disguise the actual material used for water retention. The choice of lining material is therefore dictated mainly by constructional and not aesthetic considerations.

Liners and linings. There are three main groups of materials used to retain water in an artificial feature, namely: natural products, e.g. clay and clay-based products; sheet materials, e.g. butyl rubber and PVC; built materials, e.g. sealed concrete and fibreglass. It is obviously a requirement to marry the properties of the lining material to be used to the parameters of the design. Over the years, we have evolved cost-effective methods of construction that serve the designated purpose; for example, in 1990 (in association with fabricators Russetts Developments Ltd.) we pioneered the now widely-trumpeted practice of creating and using fully tailored butyl liners.

Mill ponds. As far as we are aware, nobody is creating new mills at this time. There are, however, numerous mill ponds that have become part of a garden. We have undertaken works as diverse as reduction of water noise, silt removal and repair of water control structures on these interesting and historic examples of early mechanisation.

Natural ponds. It is extraordinary how many man-made (or man-encouraged) ponds and lakes are described as "natural". We work in the South of England where very few natural ponds occur. Of course, a well made pond will sit in the landscape "naturally" and to that extent the erroneous descriptions are a tremendous credit to those who created the pond in the first place. We aspire to such remembrances in our turn.

On-stream ponds present many problems of upkeep, one reason why the Environment Agency almost never approves the construction of a new on-stream pond. Construction of new off-stream ponds with attendant leats, water control structures, spillways etc. is permitted provided other related environmental criteria are met. Where an on-stream pond is extant, it is usually possible to engineer out some of the problems associated with the "on-stream" configuration.

Planting areas. Plants are the wonderful finishing touch to most schemes in and around water. Water offers the opportunity for a magnificent variety of plants from those that will grow at three metres depth to those that just like the tip of their roots in moist soil. We plan and plant all water related features and attendant landscapes.

Marginal planting baskets. We hate marginal plants in baskets because plants tend to be dotted along shelves; plants do not naturally grow in pot shapes; pots restrict the natural form of some plants (notably native species); taller plants can be blown over or off the shelf. Very rarely do we use baskets, preferring instead to plant in a marginal bed containing retained soil. We build such beds in existing features and design a natural look for new plantings in new constructions.

Pumps and pumping. Specifying the correct type and size of pump for a given purpose usually requires slightly more than the bald pump performance curve provided by the manufacturer. Understanding of the types of pump available, the particular requirements of the installed system (including pipe-work related friction losses) and the desired effect will inform the specification. We design pumped systems and install pumps.

Raised ponds. Well designed, these can enhance the space within which they sit. Badly conceived, they look very dated and often downright ugly. Good and excellent examples from the past are obviously worth keeping in good fettle. Considerations of child safety and fish display (koi carp) may dictate a choice of this type of pond.

Statuary and feature rocks. We install statuary, plinths for statuary and attendant pumps and pipe-work (if required) in ponds and lakes. We are adept at handling large pieces. We are happy to liaise with the artist creating a commissioned piece to ensure a smooth transplant from studio to pond. Where a piece is to utilise pumped water, we advise on pump and installation specification.

Stepping stones. A much overlooked form of "bridge" which can be incorporated into many features in a more sympathetic fashion than a bog-standard bridge. Stepping stones are less visually intrusive (even to the point of being slightly submerged if required). Of course, stepping stones need not necessarily be made of stone.

Streams. We work on both natural and artificial streams. Common works on natural streams include silt removal, bank repairs, bypass stream construction, bank-side vegetation management, water quality management and aquatic weed control, weirs and other water control structures. In existing lined or artificial streams we are regularly consulted to search for and eradicate leaks, a process for which we have developed a test protocol. We construct and reconstruct streams, waterfalls and cascades.

Terrace ponds. Terraces offer particular opportunities for ponds not least because of the reflected light from the water that can be seen on the walls and ceilings of the adjacent rooms of the house.

Village and wayside ponds. It is surprising how many of these ancient features now fall within the confines of private gardens. They are often dried up, neglected shadows of their former selves and present interesting rehabilitation projects.

Water control structures. Water is immensely adept at working its way around water control structures, usually at the conjunction of two different materials. When we build or rebuild, we make exhaustive efforts at both the design and hydraulic calculation stages to ensure the resultant construction overcomes this common problem. Water control structures include: Dams, weirs, spillways, overflows, sluices, gates, leats (bypass streams).

Watercourses. Like water gardens, a watercourse is simply a coherent and aesthetic combination of some of the basic elements described in these pages, all sensitively integrated into the garden landscape. We work in and around natural and artificial watercourses.

Waterfalls and Cascades. Trickling or rushing, urban chic or rustic, noisy or quiet, a waterfall draws admiration. Sensitive integration into the garden or water garden completes the picture. We design, build, and tune waterfalls and cascades both as stand-alone features and as part of routine stream and water garden constructions.

Water gardens. A water garden is more than the sum of its parts. It is a whimsical place of magic, dreams, reflection, sound, subtlety, light, plants, stimulation, relaxation and contemplation. A water garden is simply a coherent and aesthetic combination of some of the basic elements described in these pages, all sensitively integrated into the garden landscape. We design and build water gardens.

Water table ponds. The cheapest form of pond construction - simply dig a suitably shaped hole and watch it fill with water. Beware, the level of water in the ground fluctuates season on season; sometimes massively. We have been consulted innumerable times on dried up holes that were "full to the brim last winter". The solution to this particular set of circumstances is to line the pond which, in itself, presents a further set of engineering challenges.

Wildlife ponds and lakes - To encourage wildlife, it is necessary to establish and maintain a balanced and healthy ecosystem in a varied habitat which includes native species of plants, both in and around the feature. The size of the feature is germane to the numbers and types of species it is likely to support. We design and create new wildlife ponds and undertake works to improve the habitat and ecosystem of existing features. In so doing, we draw on our extensive and "time-served" understanding of aquatic ecosystems.

NAIAD POND SERVICES - Working with water since 1980 in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.