Recent regulations forBackyard fountains

Regulations on ornamental fountains

A decorative fountain can be part of a backyard plan, but in Southern Nevada its size needs to be considered before installation. The Las Vegas Valley Water District Service Rules do not allow outdoor ornamental water features over 10 square feet when permitted since October 4, 2022. This is a specific limit for outdoor ornamental features, so it is worth discussing the intended design before choosing dimensions or committing to construction.

If you are adding a fountain to a patio or front yard, make sure the proposed water surface is considered against this rule early in the planning process. That way, the design can be reviewed before you move ahead with engineering and permits. A decorative feature should not be planned in isolation from the requirements that apply to the property.

Combined surface area limits

A water feature associated with a new residential pool can also be part of a broader surface area calculation. Under the Las Vegas Valley Water District Service Rules, new single-family pools, spas and water features permitted after September 1, 2022, are limited to 600 square feet of combined surface area.

That means a pool, an attached spa and applicable water features need to be considered together when the design is prepared. If you are renovating a backyard or planning a new pool, bring up each proposed element during the initial consultation. Looking at the complete layout helps the project team account for the applicable limits before finalizing the plans.

Evaporation and hard water issues

Water use is another factor to consider when planning a feature. The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates that an average in-ground pool loses 48.6 gallons per square foot each year through evaporation. A typical 470 square foot Southern Nevada pool can lose up to 22,842 gallons annually. A pool cover cuts evaporation by about 90 percent.

Existing pools also have to contend with the valley’s hard water. The Las Vegas Valley Water District measures local tap water at 280 ppm total hardness, or 16 grains per gallon, with 75 ppm calcium. The minerals come from the Colorado River through Lake Mead. Topping up with this water raises calcium over time, and hard water leaves calcium scale at the tile line, in heaters and on salt cells. If scale is appearing around an existing pool feature, an assessment can help establish which service is appropriate.

How Kingfisher Pool & Spa helps with design

We build small to medium custom pools, including projects with spa additions and water features. Our construction process includes consultation, design, engineering, permits through the city or county, construction, inspections, startup and handoff. We pull the permit through the relevant local authority.

Construction consultations are free, and a written proposal is provided before work begins. Financing is available for new pools and renovations, subject to credit approval through a third-party lender. Kingfisher holds Nevada contractor license 0000000, classifications A-10 and A-10e, and carries insurance.

For an existing water feature that is losing water, Kingfisher offers leak detection using visual inspection, dye testing, pressure testing of suction and return lines, electronic listening and equipment pad inspection. We repair equipment pad plumbing leaks and most light, fitting and skimmer leaks it finds. Underground line repairs beyond the deck and structural shell cracks are referred to a specialist contractor. An inspection is a practical starting point when you need to determine whether a leak or a design change should be addressed first.