Aqua Engineering Transforms Holker Hall’s Historic Cascade and Fountain
A Showcase of Adaptability and Engineering Ingenuity
Aqua Engineering, trusted water treatment specialists serving Cumbria and Lancashire for over 25 years, was extremely honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the refurbishment of the beloved cascade and fountain at the picturesque Holker estate near Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria. Dating back to the 1800s, the fountain was later complemented by the addition of the cascade in the 1980s. However, the passage of time had taken its toll, resulting in issues such as low water pressure and leakage, which were diminishing their former glory.
Overcoming Challenges of Heritage and Practicality
The project presented a unique set of challenges, showcasing the breadth of Aqua Engineering’s expertise. The cascades, suffering from leaks and soil erosion due to inadequate foundations, required significant structural reinforcement. Additionally, the ageing infrastructure was struggling to maintain adequate water flow. The main water supply for the cascade is gravity-fed from a source in the nearby woodland, which Aqua Engineering supplemented by diverting an existing waste water drain to conserve resources and reduce the project’s environmental impact.
A key concern was ensuring that any modernisation efforts seamlessly blended with the historic character of the gardens, respecting the Cavendish family’s aesthetic preferences.
Initial design proposals included incorporating reeds into the fountain to prevent algae bloom. However, this conflicted with the habitat of rare ducks that frequented the pond. The planned use of submersible pumps also presented potential challenges for long-term maintenance access. Furthermore, the project timeline, spanning the winter months, with a completion deadline of March 1st, introduced additional complexities due to adverse weather conditions.
Aqua's Innovative Solutions and Collaborative Approach
Aqua’s team, led by senior engineer Danny Fuller, rose to the challenge, collaborating closely with both the Cavendish family and water garden specialist, Martin Kelley, and bringing in a team of specialist groundworks contractors to manage the major excavation works. To ensure a consistent water supply, two new 63mm alkathene pipes were carefully laid, connecting the fountain at the foot of the cascades up a 10-metre elevation to the cascades at the top.
A discreet pump house, equipped with both fixed-speed and variable-speed pumps, was built by Aqua, hidden within a shrubbery to maintain the garden’s visual harmony. The fixed-speed pump powers the cascades and, under normal conditions, the fountain. The variable-speed pump provides adjustable flow control, allowing for increased water pressure during windy weather to prevent water from spraying beyond the fountain’s perimeter. It also serves as a backup for the fixed-speed pump. The pumps were relocated to the external pump house to facilitate easier maintenance access for future engineer visits and the Holker gardens team.
Danny designed and built a sophisticated yet intuitive control panel for the pumps and drainage, ensuring maximum efficiency and energy conservation while providing gardeners with an easy-to-monitor and control system. The pumps are on a timer, so when they switch off after the gardens close each night, the UV filter also turns off, considerably extending its work life expectancy. Thick acoustic insulation in the pump house ensures that while the pump operation isn’t quite as quiet as the original submersible pumps, noise is kept to an acceptable minimum.
The cascades underwent extensive excavation and underpinning to ensure long-term stability, and the mortar was repointed with a colour-matched dye to preserve the original aesthetic. To safeguard water quality, a UV filter was installed. UV filtration is a crucial component of water treatment systems, as it effectively neutralises harmful bacteria and pathogens, including legionella, ensuring the water remains safe and healthy for the environment, workers, and visitors alike. A sand filter and numerous leaf grills were also added to protect the pumps from debris. To further mitigate the risk of algae bloom in the fountain pond (as the reeds were not a viable option), Danny also introduced a fresh-water feed to the fountain pool.
A Transformed Oasis: Aqua's Ingenuity at Holker Hall
The completed project is a showcase of Aqua’s adaptability and engineering ingenuity across a variety of sectors. The cascade and fountain have been revitalised, boasting improved water flow, enhanced filtration, improved energy efficiency, cheaper and easier maintenance. The pump house remains unobtrusive, and the sound of the pumps has been kept to a minimum.
The Holker estate’s cascade and fountain now stand as a shining example to the harmonious blend of heritage and modern engineering. This project exemplifies Aqua Engineering’s dedication to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that meet the unique needs of each client, breathing new life into historic features and ensuring their enjoyment for generations to come. It also showcases Aqua’s position as a trusted leader in water treatment, providing reliable and effective solutions for over 25 years throughout Cumbria and Lancashire.
