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Water Wall Units Explained
Water walls are almost a must in today’s contemporary style
gardens. Often the focal point of the garden, this is due
not only to their grandeur but also to their tactility.
Modern day urban noise such as traffic can be drowned out by
such a feature creating a calming environment favourable to
sipping a glass of wine and enjoying relaxed conversation.
Necessary to create these impressive walls is a
prefabricated unit called a Water Wall Trough or Sheet
Descent Unit. These units are specifically designed to
produce an even flow of water along the entire length of the
unit. There are two main types of Water Wall Troughs. Made
from Stainless Steel, Copper or PVC, each type distributes
the water in a different way. Below we explain the
differences between the two main types of Water Wall Troughs
available.
Sheet Descent Water Wall Unit
Water Distribution Effect
Pictured above, this unit distributes the water from the
trough over the spout or lip and down the surface of the
wall into a catchment reservoir or pond (can also be used as
a ‘free-fall’ unit). This unit brings subtle noise and
movement into the garden. Wonderfully tactile, it invites
the onlooker to touch the wall and feel the cool water
running through the hand. The shimmering effect of the water
can be captured at night with the inclusion of subtle
lighting.
Installation
This unit should not be installed any higher than 2.0m above
the surface of the water in the catchment reservoir. If used
as a ‘free-fall’ unit this height reduces to 0.8m.
Flow Requirement
This unit requires approximately 4500 litres per hour per
metre width. This should produce a film of water
approximately 3mm thick. Some adjustment in flow is
achievable with the use of an inline value. See examples 1 &
2 for further explanation.
Catchment Reservoir
Waterfall catchment troughs are designed to be positioned at
the base of a sheet descent water wall where the wall
surface is fairly even ie. tiles, render, smooth stone,
metal, glass etc. They are large enough to suit most
submersible pumps.
Where a surface is irregular and likely to cause splash such
as with pebbles, rock etc a larger catchment reservoir
should be used to stop the water from splashing out of the
feature. Not only is this a waste of water in times of
drought but it is truly amazing how quickly a water feature
can empty when splash becomes a problem. Rectangular Statue
ponds are recommended in these circumstances.
Pump
The pump required is governed by the flow requirement and
head height (ie. the height at which the waterfall is
installed above the surface of the water in the catchment
reservoir).
Example 1:- Installing a 1.0m Sheet Descent at a head height
of 2.0m
This unit has a flow requirement of 4500 litres per hour
(4500 (litres) x 1 (metre)) therefore requires a pump that
will supply 4500 lph at 2.0m high. Check pump performance
charts to find a pump that will supply this flow at the
required height. In this example a Blagdon Amphibious 8000
will push 4980 lph at 2.0m high and is therefore suitable.
Example 2:- Installing a 0.8m Sheet Descent at a head height
of 1.5m
This unit has a flow requirement of 3600 litres per hour
(4500 (litres) x 0.8 (metres)) therefore requires a pump
that will supply 3600 litres at 1.5m
high. Check pump
performance charts to find a pump that will supply this flow
at the required height. In this example a Seerose UP90
Fountain Pump will push 3840 lph at 1.5m high and is
therefore suitable.
Projecting Water Wall Unit
Water Distribution Effect
This unit projects the water out from the wall in a clear
and even arc, re-entering the water approximately 200mm away
from the wall providing a dramatic, lively effect. This
involves the senses and proves difficult for even the most
staid personality to resist the urge to reach out and play
with the curtain of water produced by this unit. Further
enrichment is accomplished with the use of lighting at
night. A simple submersible spotlight positioned under the
curtain of water is all that is required.
Installation
This unit should not be installed any higher than 1.2m above
the surface of the water in the catchment reservoir. The
water will begin to break up if installed any higher. A
high-flow projecting waterfall is available which may be
installed up to 2.0m high (please enquire).
Flow Requirement
This unit requires approximately 7200 litres per hour per
metre width. This should produce a film of water
approximately 5mm thick. Some adjustment in flow is
achievable with the use of an inline value. See examples 1 &
2 for further explanation.
Catchment Reservoir
Rectangular Statue ponds are recommended for use with a
Projecting Water Wall as the catchment reservoir needs to
protrude at least 500mm from the wall to avoid losing too
much water from splash.
Pump
The pump required is governed by the flow requirement and
head height (ie. ie. the height at which the waterfall is
installed above the surface of the water in the catchment
reservoir).
Example 1:- Installing a 1.0m Projecting Water Wall at a
head height of 1.0m
This unit has a flow requirement of 7200 litres per hour
(7200 (litres) x 1 (metre)) therefore requires a pump that
will supply 7200 lph at 1.0m high. Check pump performance
charts to find a pump that will supply this flow at the
required height. In this example a Seerose UP150 will push
7740 lph at 1.0m high and is therefore suitable.
Example 2:- Installing a 0.8m Projecting Water Wall at a
head height of 0.5m
This unit has a flow requirement of 5760 litres per hour
(7200 (litres) x 0.8 (metres)) therefore requires a pump
that will supply 5760 litres at 0.5m high. Check pump
performance charts to find a pump that will supply this flow
at the required height. In this example a Seerose UP120
Fountain Pump will push 6840 lph at 0.5m high and is
therefore suitable.
TIP
It is always better to ‘oversize’ the pump rather than to
purchase a pump that will only just suit. Allowances need to
be made for loss of flow through tubing and fittings. It is
far more practical to buy a pump larger than required and
restrict the output buy a valve, as it is impossible to get
more performance than the maximum specified on any
particular pump.
About the Author
Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on building and maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.
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