Water features can completely transform your outdoor space—when they’re built correctly. A well-designed pond or waterfall adds beauty, tranquility, and value to your home. But when a water feature is poorly constructed, it can become the opposite: a high-maintenance eyesore that never works the way it should.
Many homeowners learn this the hard way. They invest in what they hope will be a stunning backyard upgrade, only to end up with murky water, broken pumps, leaks, or unsafe rockwork. Every year, we receive calls from people dealing with failing water features installed by inexperienced contractors. And unfortunately, trying to “go cheap” often results in spending much more later to fix the problems.
TL;DR – Things to Consider When Getting a Water Feature Built
- A poorly built water feature can become a costly, high-maintenance problem.
- Tussey Landscaping is the #1 Certified Aquascape Contractor worldwide (2015 Top Frog Award) with decades of experience.
- We were called to fix a major water feature failure in State College, PA caused by improper pumps, plumbing, and lack of filtration.
- Our team rebuilt the system, added proper biological filtration, installed quality lighting, and restored the stream to a natural look.
- Before choosing a contractor, check their experience, certifications, past work, artistic ability, and whether they use proper Aquascape filtration.
Why Tussey Landscaping Is the Trusted Water Feature Expert
As the 2015 Top Frog Award recipient, Tussey Landscaping was recognized as the #1 Certified Aquascape Contractor worldwide. With nearly two decades of certification and decades of hands-on experience, we design and build water features that:
- Look natural
- Require minimal maintenance
- Operate efficiently
- Stand the test of time
You get maximum enjoyment—without ongoing headaches.
A Real Case Study: When a Water Feature Goes Wrong
The project shown above was originally built by a major landscaping company in State College, PA. The installation took them the entire summer, cost the homeowner significantly, and still had multiple serious issues:
- No biological filtration → caused harsh, uncontrollable water conditions
- Improper pumps and plumbing → led to high energy consumption and poor performance
- Loose, unsafe boulders → created safety hazards
- Low-quality lighting → poor nighttime appearance
- Lack of artistic design → looked unnatural instead of a true mountain-stream aesthetic
How Tussey Landscaping Fixed the Problems
When the homeowner contacted us, we evaluated the system and recommended a complete overhaul of the failing components. Our team:
- Installed the proper Aquascape biological filtration system
- Removed and replaced the incorrect plumbing and pumps
- Rebuilt much of the stream for a natural, mountain-stream look
- Installed 5-year-warranty LED underwater lighting for resort-quality ambiance
The result? Crystal-clear water and a fully functional, enjoyable water feature.
And unlike the original installation—which took all summer—Tussey Landscaping could build a properly designed project of this size in 5–6 working days.
5 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Water Feature Contractor
1. Does the contractor have real experience with water features?
Water feature construction is highly specialized. Lack of experience almost always leads to long-term problems.
2. Do they stand behind their work?
Ask to see past projects. Speak to their clients. Learn whether they deliver what they promise.
3. Do they have artistic skill—not just technical skill?
A great water feature must look natural. Ask to review their portfolio for artistic quality.
4. Are they using proper Aquascape biological filtration?
Without the right filtration system, you’re guaranteed to battle water quality issues.
5. Are they certified and trained?
Tussey Landscaping has been a Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC) for nearly 20 years—delivering proven, industry-leading results.
