WATER AS AN ELEMENT IN

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally
the term is most often applied to the Earth or some parts of Earth.

This environment encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather, and
natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity.

In contrast to the natural environment is the built environment. In such areas where man
has fundamentally transformed landscapes such as urban settings and agricultural land
conversion, the natural environment is greatly modified into a simplified human
environment.
WATER ON EARTH
Most water is found in one or another natural kind of body of water.

OCEANS
An ocean is a major body of saline water,
and a component of the hydrosphere.
Approximately 71% of the
Earth's surface is covered by ocean,
a continuous body of water that is
customarily divided into several principal
oceans and smaller seas.

The deep seabeds are more than half the

Earth's surface, and are among the least-
modified natural environments.
RIVERS

A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater,

flowing toward an ocean, a lake, a sea or another river.

The water in a river is usually in a channel, made up of

a stream bed between banks. In larger rivers there is
also a wider floodplain shaped by waters over-topping
the channel..

Rivers are a part of the hydrological cycle. Water within

a river is generally collected
from precipitation through surface
runoff, groundwater recharge, springs, and the release
of water stored in glaciers and snowpacks.
PONDS
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake.

A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens designed for aesthetic
ornamentation, fish ponds designed for commercial fish breeding, and solar ponds designed to store thermal
energy.

Ponds and lakes are distinguished from streams by their current speed. While currents in streams are easily
observed, ponds and lakes possess thermally driven micro-currents and moderate wind driven currents. These
features distinguish a pond from many other aquatic terrain features, such as stream pools and tide pools.
SOURCES OF WATER
SURFACE WATER
Although the only natural input to any surface
water system is precipitation within
its watershed, the total quantity of water in
that system at any given time is also dependent
on many other factors. These factors include
storage capacity in lakes, wetlands and
artificial reservoirs, the permeability of the soil,
the runoff characteristics of the land in the
watershed, the timing of the precipitation and
local evaporation rates. All of these factors also
affect the proportions of water loss.
GROUND WATER
Groundwater is fresh water located in the
subsurface pore space of soil and rocks.

It is also water that is flowing within aquifers below

the water table. Sometimes it is useful to make a
distinction between groundwater that is closely
associated with surface water and deep groundwater in
an aquifer (sometimes called "fossil water").

The natural input to groundwater is seepage from

surface water. The natural outputs from groundwater
are springs and seepage to the oceans

If the surface water source is also subject to substantial

evaporation, a groundwater source may become saline.
This situation can occur naturally
under endorheic bodies of water, or artificially
under irrigated farmland.

In coastal areas, human use of a groundwater source

may cause the direction of seepage to ocean to reverse
which can also cause soil salinization.
FROZEN WATER

Several schemes have been proposed to

make use of icebergs as a water source,
however to date this has only been done for
research purposes. Glacier runoff is
considered to be surface water.

The Himalayas, which are often called "The

Roof of the World", contain some of the most
extensive and rough high altitude areas on
Earth as well as the greatest area of glaciers
and permafrost outside of the poles. Ten of
Asia’s largest rivers flow from there, and
more than a billion people’s livelihoods
depend on them.
DESALINATION
Desalination is an artificial process by which saline water (generally sea water) is
converted to fresh water. The most common desalination processes
are distillation and reverse osmosis.

Desalination is currently expensive compared to most alternative sources of

water, and only a very small fraction of total human use is satisfied by
desalination. It is only economically practical for high-valued uses (such as
household and industrial uses) in arid areas. The most extensive use is in
the Persian Gulf.
WATER RESOURCES
• Water resources are sources of water that are
potentially useful.

• Uses of water
include agricultural, industrial, household, recrea
tional and environmental activities. All living
things require water to grow and reproduce.

• 97% of the water on the Earth is salt water and

only three percent is fresh water; slightly over
two thirds of this is frozen
in glaciers and polar ice caps.

• The remaining unfrozen freshwater is found

mainly as groundwater, with only a small fraction
present above ground or in the air.
WATER USES

AGRICULTURE
The most important use of water in agriculture is
for irrigation, which is a key component to
produce enough food. Irrigation takes up to 90%
of water withdrawn in some developing
countries and significant proportions in more
economically developed countries (in the United
States, 30% of freshwater usage is for irrigation)

It is estimated that 70% of worldwide water is

used for irrigation, with 15-35% of irrigation
withdrawals being unsustainable.
INDUSTRIAL

It is estimated that 22% of worldwide water is used in industry. Major industrial

users include hydroelectric dams, thermoelectric power plants, which use
water for cooling, ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes,
and manufacturing plants, which use water as a solvent.

Water withdrawal can be very high for certain industries, but consumption is
generally much lower than that of agriculture.
DOMESTIC

It is estimated that 8% of worldwide water use is for

domestic purposes.

These include drinking water, bathing, cooking, toilet

flushing, cleaning, laundry and gardening.

Basic domestic water requirements have been estimated

by Peter Gleick at around 50 liters per person per day,
excluding water for gardens. Drinking water is water that
is of sufficiently high quality so that it can be consumed
or used without risk of immediate or long term harm.
Such water is commonly called potable water.
RECREATION
Humans use water for many recreational
purposes, as well as for exercising and for
sports. Some of these include
swimming, waterskiing, boating, surfing and di
ving.

Lakesides, beaches and water parks are

popular places for people to go to relax and
enjoy recreation. Many find the sound and
appearance of flowing water to be calming,
and fountains and other water features are
popular decorations.

Some keep fish and other life in aquariums or

ponds for show, fun, and companionship.
Humans also use water for snow sports
i.e. skiing, sledding, snowmobiling or snowboa
rding, which require the water to be frozen.
WATER STRESS

The concept of water stress is relatively simple: According to the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development, it applies to situations where there is not enough water for all
uses, whether agricultural, industrial or domestic.

FACTORS RELATED TO IT

1.Population growth
In 2000, the world population was 6.2 billion. The UN estimates that
by 2050 there will be an additional 3.5 billion people with most of the
growth in developing countries that already suffer water
stress. Thus, water demand will increase unless there are
corresponding increases in water conservation and recycling of this
vital resource
2.Rapid urbanization
The trend towards urbanization is accelerating. Small private wells and septic
tanks that work well in low-density communities are not feasible within high-
density urban areas. Urbanization requires significant investment in
water infrastructure in order to deliver water to individuals and to process the
concentrations of wastewater – both from individuals and from business. These
polluted and contaminated waters must be treated or they pose unacceptable
public health risks
 3.Expansion of business activity
Business activity ranging from industrialization to services such as tourism and entertainment
continues to expand rapidly. This expansion requires increased water services including
both supply and sanitation, which can lead to more pressure on water resources and
natural ecosystem.

4.Climate change
Climate change could have significant impacts on water resources around the world because
of the close connections between the climate and hydrological cycle. Rising temperatures will
increase evaporation and lead to increases in precipitation, though there will be regional
variations in rainfall. Both droughts and floods may become more frequent in different
. regions at different times, and dramatic changes in snowfall and snow melt are expected in
mountainous areas
5.Pollution and water protection

Water pollution is one of the main concerns of the world

today.

Many pollutants threaten water supplies, but the most

widespread, especially in developing countries, is the
discharge of raw sewage into natural waters; this
method of sewage disposal is the most common
method in underdeveloped countries.

Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are

all dumped into the water. Even if sewage is treated,
problems still arise. Treated sewage forms sludge, which
may be placed in landfills, spread out on land,
incinerated or dumped at sea.

In the developing world, 90% of all wastewater still goes

untreated into local rivers and streams. The strain not
only affects surface freshwater bodies like rivers and
lakes, but it also degrades groundwater resources
WATER AS A FORCE OF NATURE
Running water, that is water that flows on the Earth’s surface in streams and rivers, is the most powerful natural
agent operating on the surface, and changes the face of the Earth. Although short term catastrophes, such as
tornados and earthquakes, can occur, their effect in the long term is not as great as that of running water.

Soil erosion
is the process whereby soil is removed from an area, and when water is the agent of erosion, it can be in the form
of gully erosion, or sheetwash.

Gully erosion
is more spectacular, because deep trenches may
develop where water is concentrated into
streams

The streams may actively deepen and widen the

channel in which the water flows, especially
where the soil is soft or disturbed in some way.

On a worldwide scale, soil loss of up to 10 tons

per hectare of land per year is an acceptable
rate.
Floods

occur when excessive rain falls in the

catchment area of a river, and which results in
the river bursting its banks.

Floods are short-term disasters that can cause

untold damage to property and lives by swiftly
flowing rivers, especially where informal
settlement development or farming is
practiced, on flood plains, next to such rivers.
Floods can also cause land-, mud- and rock
slides along valley-side slopes, and thereby
cause disasters by wiping away or covering
anything in its path.
Tsunamis

are dreadful occurrences of gigantic waves

in the oceans, caused by either underwater
volcanic activity, earthquakes or tropical
cyclones.

These gigantic waves are sometimes

incorrectly referred to as tidal waves, but
that is totally wrong for it has nothing to do
with tides in the oceans.

They occur mostly in the western Pacific

Ocean.
WATER CONSERVATION

• One strategy in water conservation is rain

water harvesting.

• Digging ponds, lakes, canals, expanding the

water reservoir, and installing rain water
catching ducts and filtration systems on
homes are different methods of harvesting
rain water. Harvested and filtered rain water
could be used for toilets,
home gardening, lawn irrigation, and small
scale agriculture.
• Waste water reuse or recycling systems,
allowing : Reuse of gray water for flushing
toilets or watering gardens
• Recycling of wastewater
through purification at a water
treatment plant.

• Overhead irrigation, using center-pivot or

lateral-moving sprinklers, has the potential
for a much more equal and controlled
distribution pattern.

• Drip irrigation is the most expensive and

least-used type, but offers the ability to
deliver water to plant roots with minimal
losses.

Treatment of water discharged from

industries into rivers etc
IMPORTANCE OF WATER CONSERVATION

Today, with the ever increasing human population, the world faces a terrible shortage of resources, including water.
Hence, an important part of water gardens in landscape architecture is recycling and reusing water, as well as limiting the
wastage of water as much as possible. Breakthroughs in indoor water fountains for home have given garden fountains a
chance to be eco-friendly, technology has that power, we just need more people focusing on such things.

Water-efficient landscaping offers many economic and environmental benefits, including:

Lower water bills from reduced water use.

Conservation of natural resources and preservation of habitat for plants and wildlife such as fish and waterfowl.

Extended life for water resources infrastructure (e.g., reservoirs, treatment plants, groundwater aquifers)

Decreased energy use (and air pollution associated with its generation)

Hence, water recycling, pumping and storage is housed in the facility to decrease dependence on external water supply.
The water in ponds, fountains and watercourses is periodically replaced as it is moving water, thus preventing the growth
of algae or mosquitoes. It keeps the climate cool and serene. Hence, water gardens nowadays play an important part in
the landscapes of mansions where they are integrated along with swimming pools and gardens.
HISTORIC REVIEW

Sculptures and Water Bodies

The combination of Sculptures and Water Bodies has always been considered unique since
the Roman Times

In ancient Greece , fountains were considered

to be sacred

They were converted from a hole excavated

close to the water point into the buildings

In Byzantium water was a symbol of life health

and civilization

Baths were a sociable place appropriate for

meetings, discussions and demonstrations

It was considered to be an element of multiple

beliefs and functions.
USE OF WATER BODIES IN
LANDSCAPE DESIGN

This is the most interesting object in landscape design.

Water, which is a natural element, can be a prominent

feature in the landscape.

It may be used in the form of fountains or pools for its

reflective qualities, differences in sound or cooling effect.

Programming the flow of water in fountains is done by an

electronic timing system which may also control the night
light sequence.

The water flow and lighting must be coordinated to achieve

maximum effect.

Sculptural elements of granite or concrete can be

integrated in a water cascade or fountain effect
ROLE OF WATER IN LANDSCAPE
Water has been used by landscape architects as a key aesthetic factor. It was implemented for breaking
the monotony caused by the solid materials used by architects or artists.

It is a neutral architectural element which cannot be clearly classified as natural or built.

Water is a multidimensional object of research which appears in

various fields

1.ENVIRONMENTALLY : A natural resource for living

2.SOCIALLY : A sensitive basis for developing human activities

3.FINANCIALLY : It influences tourism, agriculture fisheries etc.

4.CULTURALLY : Related to folklore, mythology, art and religion

5.AESTHETICALLY : Represented as a beauty element of nature.

ELEMENTS OF GARDEN DESIGN

It is difficult to imagine another element so central and so vital both to basic

life and to a diverse range of aesthetic and recreational pleasure.

Aqua landscapes or Water Gardens, as they are known, have been prominent
in English Imperial Gardens, French Baroque Gardens, Chinese Classical
Gardens as well as the Moorish Royal Gardens.

Water Gardens typically include the integration of artificial ponds, streams,

waterfalls, statues, rocks, aquatic plants, fishes, watercourses and
fountains with the natural surroundings and environment in order to create
a pleasing atmosphere.

An Aquatic landscape designer might modify and manipulate the naturally

occurring features in a given place to improve its visual attraction. Artificial
ponds might be dug up, new watercourses might be plotted, aquatic plants
and fauna might be used to integrate the place with nature. Artificial
waterfalls and fountains might be erected, which act as a cooling oasis in the
summer season. Design of water gardens is a way to bring nature closer to
human beings, to add beauty and serenity to the landscape.
General Historic types of Water Gardens & Landscapes
`1.The Embellished Spring | Greek origin Water gardens have been designed for
Served as a source of potable water endowed with medicinal, thousands of years for a variety of reasons
legendary properties. and it has produced outdoor fountain pros in
every era.
2. The Nyphaeum | Architectural city fountain
Highly developed by the Romans. Derived from the Greeks.

3. The Fountain of Ablution | Hindu and Islamic origin

Serves as a vehicle for obligatory cleansing before entering the
mosque or a temple.

4. The Sculptural Fountains | Greek and Roman origin

Appeared in renaissance. Centerpieces for plazas, courtyards and
intersections.

5. Motion in Water feature | Kinetic sculpture fountain,

London
Surge or wave action can be created. Prohibitively expensive
mechanical systems required. Water used to turn sculpture. Water
effects with water pressure.
ELEMENTS OF VISUAL
DESIGN

LINE
The water surface can be expressed as a line

By shaping the edge over which water falls, water can

become a series of vertical lines

It accentuates the vertical direction

It implies a connection between earth and sky

FORM
Water feature can be linear, accentuating the flow of
water, or compact in form

It conveys a sense of centrality or arrival

COLOR

Good quality water is relatively clear

It takes on color imparted by reflections carried upon its

surface

The water surface reflects all the colors in its immediate

environment

TEXTURE

The surface of moving water is determined by depth

and flow characteristics, shape and depth of its
container

Constrictions or protrusions into the flow cause

turbulence and increase surface texture
WATER FEATURES
Running water in the garden makes a dynamic impression which breaks any monotony caused by
extensive green material
E.g. fountain in the garden

CONTAINING WATER

Water proof masonry like concrete,

can seal all the water in the water
feature
E.g. ponds
FLOWING WATER
Natural looking water features such as artificial
streams or wildlife pools are usually irregular shaped
and lined with flexible water proof materials
E.g. edging and lining streams

STIMULATION OF SENSES THROUGH

IMAGE AND SOUND
Water stimulates the senses

Water causes memorial and emotional impacts with its

tranquil and sensitive properties

The movement of water presents a dynamic and charming

character

Water implies instability or movement against the balance

CONCLUSION

Water, is a great necessity, without it nothing can live. Only earth and water can bring forth a living soul. Such
is the greatness of water that spiritual regeneration cannot be done without it.

Its existence (natural or artificial) improves drastically the aesthetic effect

The aquatic element is of crucial importance for the quality of life and the sustainability of eco systems and
also for attractiveness of landscapes.
Water belongs to the most important aesthetic sources