Pool water features add sound, movement and light to your backyard. The most popular options in Tucson are sheer descents, fire and water bowls, bubblers on a tanning ledge, scuppers, deck jets, raised spa spillways and LED lighting. Each one needs the right plumbing, pump flow and placement, so it is best to plan them during design rather than adding them later.
In the desert, features also need to make sense with our dry air, strong sun and long, warm evenings. Here is what each one does, how it looks, and what to think about before you add it.
Pool water features at a glance
| Feature | What it adds | Plumbing / equipment needs | Desert considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheer descent | Smooth sheet of water from a raised wall | Dedicated line; may need its own pump | Some evaporation; can be lit with LEDs |
| Scuppers | Spouts that pour into the pool | Water line to each scupper | Splashier sound; good on raised walls |
| Fire bowls | Flame at the pool edge | Gas line, ignition, safe clearances | Great for cool nights; plan for wind |
| Fire and water bowls | Flame on top, water spilling over the side | Gas line plus water line | Two systems in one; a strong focal point |
| Bubblers | Small bubbling jets on a ledge | Water line from the floor of the ledge | Kids love them; low profile |
| Deck jets | Arcs of water from the deck into the pool | Lines under the deck | More spray, so more evaporation |
| Raised spa spillway | Spa water spills into the pool | Part of the spa plumbing | Adds sound when the spa runs |
| LED lighting | Color and mood at night | Low-voltage lights and controls | Makes the pool usable after sunset |
What is a sheer descent pool feature?
A sheer descent is a smooth, clear sheet of water that flows out of a slot in a raised wall and falls into the pool. The name is a brand name from one manufacturer, but most people use it for any feature of this type.
The look: clean and modern. It works especially well on geometric and freeometric pools with a tiled or stone raised wall.
What it needs: a raised wall, a water line to the unit and enough flow to keep the sheet even. Wider units or several units together may need a separate feature pump.
Desert tips:
- Moving water loses more to the dry air than calm water, so set it on a schedule.
- Hard water can leave scale on the lip over time. Good water chemistry helps.
- Some units can be lit with LED lights for a glowing effect at night.
Scuppers: the simple, classic option
Scuppers are spouts set into a raised wall that pour water into the pool. They can be stainless steel, copper or finished to match stone or tile.
The look: works with almost any style, from Spanish Colonial to modern.
What it needs: a water line to each scupper. Several scuppers on one wall often share a line with a valve so you can adjust the flow.
Desert tips: scuppers splash more than a sheer descent, so they are a little louder and lose a bit more water to evaporation. They are a great pick for small pools because they add a lot of life without using deck space.
Fire bowls and fire and water bowls
Fire bowls sit on the pool edge, on a raised wall or on pedestals and burn gas for a ring of flame. Fire and water bowls combine a flame on top with water spilling over the side into the pool. We use Luxe fire bowls on our builds.
The look: a strong focal point, especially at night. Pairs of bowls on either side of a sheer descent or spa are a popular layout.
What it needs:
- A gas line run under the deck to each bowl
- An ignition setup (manual or electronic)
- For fire and water bowls, a water line too
- Safe clearance from seating, plants and patio covers
Desert tips: Tucson evenings can be breezy, especially around monsoon season, so placement matters. Fire bowls are at their best from fall through spring, when evenings cool off. Running gas lines is much easier during the build than after the deck is poured.
For fire pits, fireplaces and other outdoor living ideas, see our post on outdoor living extensions.
Tanning ledges and baja shelves with bubblers
A tanning ledge (also called a baja shelf) is a shallow, flat area of the pool, often just a few inches deep. It is one of the most-used spots in an Arizona pool.
Bubblers
Bubblers are small jets set into the floor of the ledge that push up a low dome of water. Kids love them, and they add gentle sound. Some bubblers can be lit from within for a glowing effect at night.
Umbrella sleeves
An umbrella sleeve is a holder set into the ledge so you can put an umbrella right in the water. In Tucson, shade on the ledge can be the difference between using it in July and avoiding it.
Planning tips
- Place bubblers so they do not get in the way of lounge chairs.
- Put the umbrella sleeve where it shades the most-used part of the ledge in the afternoon.
- Keep enough room on the ledge for the number of chairs you want.
Raised spa spillways
A raised spa that spills into the pool is both a feature and a functional part of the design. The spillway can be tile, stone or a sheer-style edge. When the spa runs, water flows over the edge into the pool, adding sound and movement. Our modern low-maintenance pool post shows one example.
If you plan to heat the spa for winter use, see our pool heating guide.
Deck jets
Deck jets are small nozzles set into the deck that shoot arcs of water into the pool. Kids love jumping through them.
What it needs: water lines under the deck and good placement so the arcs land in the pool, not on furniture.
Desert tips: spray and arcs evaporate more than other features. Many families run them only during play time.
LED pool lighting
Lighting is the feature most people use every night. LED pool lights use less energy than older halogen lights and can change color. Pentair offers color-changing LED pool and spa lights that work with its automation systems.
Ideas to consider:
- Pool and spa lights placed so the whole pool glows evenly
- Lit features like bubblers or sheer descents
- Landscape and step lights around the deck for safety
- Color scenes you can set for parties or holidays
How do pumps, plumbing and automation work for water features?
This is where planning up front really pays off.
Pumps
Each feature needs a certain amount of flow. A few small features can often share the main pump with valves. Larger sheer descents or many features running at once may need a separate feature pump. We use Pentair equipment and size the pumps during design.
Plumbing
Each feature has its own lines under the deck. Running them during the build is simple. Adding them after the deck is poured means cutting and patching.
Automation
Pentair’s IntelliCenter control system works with the Pentair Pool app, so you can control pumps, lights and features from your phone and set schedules. In Tucson, scheduling features to run in the evening helps with both evaporation and energy use.
Water features and Tucson’s climate
A few local things to keep in mind:
- Evaporation. Our dry air and summer heat pull water from the pool, and features add to that. Schedules and smart placement help.
- Hard water. Tucson water can leave scale on features, tile and lips. Good water balance and regular brushing help.
- Monsoon dust and debris. Storms can blow dust and leaves into features. Easy-access designs make cleanup simpler.
- Sun and heat. Choose finishes and stone that hold up in strong sun. See decking materials that beat the heat.
How we design water features at Meraki Pools AZ
We plan every feature in 3D, then you can walk through the design in VR to see how the sheer descent looks from the patio or whether the fire bowls block a view. Each feature shows up as its own line in your quote, so you can choose what is worth it to you. Learn more about our 3D and VR design process and what custom pool design really means.
Our in-house crews handle the masonry, tile and decking that go around these features. As Sofia B. wrote in her Google review, “The final product was beyond our expectations.”
For a small yard, see our ideas for small pools, plunge pools and spools. For a feature-by-feature budget view, read how much it costs to build a pool in Tucson.
Ready to add water features to your pool?
Whether you want one simple sheer descent or a full wall of fire and water, we will help you plan it right. Contact us or call (520) 342-8335 to set up a design consultation. See more examples in our pool gallery.
Want one built? See our pool water and fire features service, from sheer descents and waterfalls to fire bowls.
Sources
- Jandy: Sheer Descent waterfall
- Pentair: IntelliCenter pool control system
- Pentair: IntelliBrite color LED pool lights
Put this guide to work
Planning your own project? See our Pool Decks: Travertine & Pavers in Tucson and Water & Fire Features in Tucson.
Frequently asked questions
Do pool water features use a lot of water in Arizona?
Water features do add to evaporation, because moving water and spray lose more to the dry air than a calm surface. The amount depends on the feature and how long it runs. Running features on a schedule, mostly in the evening when you are outside, helps keep water loss down.
Do water features need their own pump?
It depends on the feature and how many you have. Small bubblers can often run off the main pump with valves, while larger sheer descents or several features at once may need a dedicated feature pump. We size the plumbing and pump during design so each feature has enough flow.
Are fire bowls safe next to a pool?
Fire bowls made for poolside use are designed to sit near water. They need a properly installed gas line, the right ignition setup and safe clearances from seating, plants and overhead covers. We plan fire bowl placement and gas runs as part of the design.
Can I control pool water features from my phone?
Yes, with an automation system. Pentair's IntelliCenter system works with the Pentair Pool app, so you can turn features, lights and pumps on or off and set schedules from your phone. Some electronic-ignition fire features can also be tied into automation.
What is the best water feature for a small pool?
Scuppers and a short sheer descent on a raised wall are great choices for small pools. They add sound and movement without taking up deck space. Bubblers on a small tanning ledge are another easy win.
Are pool water features loud?
Most features can be tuned from a soft trickle to a strong splash by adjusting flow. Sheer descents tend to sound smooth and steady, while scuppers and deck jets are splashier. If you have close neighbors or a bedroom window nearby, we can place and size features to keep the sound gentle.
