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Most water features do not use a lot of electricity, averaging between 100 and 250 watts per day. The size of the motor can impact electricity usage. To reduce electricity usage, consider using a timer to turn the fountain off at night and when you’re away from your home. Solar power is another way to defray electricity costs after you recoup the cost of installing the solar components.

Lifespans vary by material and manufacturer, but pond liners last anywhere from 10 to 75 years. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pond liners have a life expectancy of up to 20 years. Other types of pond liners, including those made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), can last 40 to 50 years.

While they’re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:

• River rocks don’t break down or provide nutrients to plants. 

• These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. 

• River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. 

• Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.

Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.

Fountain maintenance is an important part of having a clean foundation in the first place. To keep your fountain water clean, you can use a water additive designed specifically to limit scale, algae, and other buildup in fountains. Or opt to use white vinegar as a pantry-ready water additive.