Pool Algae Prevention
Algae are a class of organisms that are essential to life on earth. In a swimming pool, however, they become an affliction that compromises water quality and consumes chemicals. According to Haviland’s Kevin Vlietstra, although there’s an inevitable quality to algae, prevention is always the best treatment option.    ...
Guarding Mountain Waters
Located in the heart of Tuscany, the Colossus of the Apennines stands guard over the surrounding historic landscape like an ancient sentinel. Not only an imposing sculpture, the massive statue was also a remarkable example of early watershaping innovation. ...
Oceans of Therapy
While most people are familiar with the pleasure and excitement of time spent in the company of seas and oceans, far fewer are aware that seawater and its constituents have a long history of specific therapeutic benefits, and have led to an entire category of luxurious and healthful spa treatments – with a very fancy name. ...
Dazzling Assets
When commercial property owners are looking for a competitive edge that will attract visitors and customers, many turn to fountains. The sustained value of water displays has proven an effective investment across a spectrum of public-facing settings. Here’s a look at some successful examples. ...
Blistering Ocean Temps Break Records
The water temperatures of the world’s oceans are rapidly on the rise. The result of elevating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels that are causing a host of extreme weather conditions the world over. Ocean-temperature rise is accelerating at unprecedented rates with a host of serious possible ramifications in its wake. ...
Mulch vs. Cobblestone (The Groundcover Battle for Garden Supremacy)
When it comes to landscaping and gardening, choosing the right groundcover is essential for the health and vitality of plants. While options like gravel or cobblestone may seem appealing for their durability and low maintenance, there are several drawbacks to consider, and one very good alternative. ...
Understanding Colloidal Silicates
Products based on colloidal silicates have been used for decades as a way to increase the strength of concrete and other cementitious materials. Now being marketed as a way to stave off common plaster problems in swimming pools, it’s helpful to take a clear look at what these products can and cannot do. ...
Restoration at ‘Earth Speed’
Healing troubled bodies of water is an opportunity to make a positive impact on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, explains Ed Beaulieu, and elevate the human experience in the process. Using this project as a prime example, a set of ponds owned by an A-list celebrity and activist was transformed from a morbid state of deterioration to a vibrant ecological asset. ...
On the Steps of Freedom
Celebrating the birth of the United States is for many both a joyous and somber occasion. At least it is for Eric Herman, who shares memories of his first childhood trip to Washington D.C. and the pride he takes in our nation’s history, as well as the lessons of the great “American Experiment.” ...
A Century of Reflections
Completed in 1923, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is one of the truly iconic and most recognizable watershapes in the U.S. Serving as a visual centerpiece for the Mall in Washington D.C., the glassy expanse of water has undergone a major renovation, faced a number of ongoing maintenance challenges -- and been the site of numerous historic events. ...