Lifestyle

Ponds: Rainwater systems can do double duty

Posted July 10, 2009 11:00 pm

By Deborah Donovan

This waterfall at a Barrington home will be among those shown in the Aquascape pond tour on July 25-26. Courtesy Aquascape, Inc.

Do you want to sit by a waterfall that surges and splashes down the rocks?

Or do you crave the quiet of a still pond in your back yard?

Either one would be too frivolous and expensive in these tough economic times, you say.

Aquascape, a St. Charles company well known for building ponds and selling wholesale equipment to other installers, has the answer. And this month Aquascape sponsors one of two major tours of area ponds and water features to provide inspiration in different price ranges.

One idea is installing a rain harvest system. This is similar to the cistern that your parents or grandparents might remember. It uses an underground rain water storage that could fit under your patio or pond. It comes with a pump that can be tied in with a decorative feature like a waterfall. It could even connect to an irrigation system to water your lawn. You can use the water for all kinds of plant or landscape watering or for cleaning.

As far as Aquascape is concerned, rain harvesting was born a few years ago during a drought in the Southeast. Jeff Payton, vice president of business development for Aquascape, brags about water features in that rain-restricted region that have functioned for two years with rain water alone.

So, you see, it's not frivolous. You are helping to save one of the world's most precious resources and maybe even save money on future water bills.

Another choice that homeowners favor in these post-extravagant times are smaller, less expensive water features, said Payton.

"They can be as small as 4-by-4 feet with a stone column," he said. "We have Mongolian basalt - cool-looking six-sided columns."

However, large stones are in fashion, and Payton says they look a lot better, so that raises the costs of water features, of course.

"People are still spending money on their homes," said Payton. "It's a good time because pricing is more competitive."

Anyone interested in seeing water features that retail for $1 million can visit Aquascape's headquarters on Kautz Road south of Main Street or Route 64 in St. Charles. Visit aquascapedesigns.com.

Pond costs

Estimates from Jeff Payton, vice president of business development for Aquascape of St. Charles. Prices include installation.

Generally much of the cost is for transporting the rocks, Payton said. The favorites are granite or something called moss rock - craggy and amenable to growing moss or lichens. They often come from Wisconsin and Missouri.

Small water feature in rock basin: $2,500 to $3,000

Pondless waterfalls: about $6,000

Average pond: $7,000 to $8,000

Rain harvesting systems: $4,000 to $5,000.

The rustic setting at this Dowers Grove home will be among those featured at the Aquascape pond tour on July 25-26. Courtesy Aquascape, Inc.

Frank Stompanato works for Aquascape, and his spectacular backyard pond will be on the July 25 and 26 tour. Rick West | Staff Photographer

Darien residents welcome visitors July 25 and 26. Courtesy Aquascape, Inc.

If you want to see a million-dollar waterfall and pond array, visit the Aquascape headquarters in St. Charles. Courtesy Aquascape, Inc.

This pond at a St. Charles home will be in the Aquascape pond tour on July 25-26 Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Koi are one reason people love ponds. Rick West | Staff Photographer

Who can resist water lilies? Rick West | Staff Photographer

Frank Stompanato's St. Charles pond will be featured on the upcoming pond tour July 25 and 26. Rick West | Staff Photographer

Frank and Pillar Stompanato installed a waterfall at their St. Charles home. The water feature will be featured on the Aquascap pond tour on July 25-26. For pond tour details, see page XXXX. Rick West | Staff Photographer

Two pond tours Midwest Pond and Koi Society Tour July 18: Arlington Heights, Addison, Carol Stream, Elgin, Des Plaines, Glendale Heights., Kildeer, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Roselle, Schaumburg and Streamwood July 25: Aurora, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Downer's Grove, Geneva, Lisle, Naperville, Oswego, Plainfield, St. Charles, Warrenville, Wheaton and Woodridge. Other areas: Featured July 19 and 26. Hours: Generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Booklets: $15, available at garden centers. Families or friends gain access with single booklet. Call: (312) 409-2081 or visit <a href="http://mpks.org" target="new">mpks.org</a> Aquascape Features: 65 ponds from small to priced at a million dollars in Western suburbs Booklets/maps: $15; available at Aquascape Water Gardening Store, 901 Aqualand Way, St. Charles and at various shops listed online at <a href="http://aquascapedesigns.com" target="new">aquascapedesigns.com</a> When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26 Shuttle: Aquascape is open throughout the tour. Free shuttles will take visitors to the nearby home and water features of Greg Wittstock, Aquascape owner. Benefits: Aquascape Foundation, designed to install rain harvesting systems in developing countries Call: (630) 659-2057

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