Water Features for Wellness

The Misericordia Home in Chicago, Illinois is a campus for children and adults in Chicago with developmental disabilities, many of them are also physically challenged. Nanci Martinez, Supervisor for the Developmental Training Program at Misericordia, had became aware of our water features at Laguna Ponds and asked us if we would be able to install one in their Wellness Garden. The garden is an area for daily mediation, yoga classes, and other programs for residents and staff. 

Laguna's Mike Zmina was happy to oblige, and offered to set up our windmill water feature. The addition to the Wellness Garden has been successful in so many ways. Misericordia staff have shown enthusiasm in learning more about water gardening and Laguna water features, while the residents at Misericordia have shared great feedback about their garden addition.

Nanci shared some warm words about Laguna's donation to Misericordia.

Here are some pictures of the amazing water feature that you donated to our developmental training program. The residents and staff are enjoying it a great deal. It's a wonderful place for the residents to enjoy daily programming in addition for the staff to relax and unwind on their breaks. I really appreciate you helping make our wellness garden at Misericordia the wonderful place that it is.

Again, many thanks! 

Nanci

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About Misericordia:

Misericordia offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged.  By serving society’s most vulnerable citizens, Misericordia also serves the families who want the best for them, yet cannot provide it at home.

Misericordia's Mission Statement:

The Mission of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy is to support individuals with developmental disabilities in maximizing their level of independence and self-determination within an environment that fosters spirituality, dignity, respect and enhancement of quality of life. We promote development of natural family and community support, community awareness, education and advocacy.

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When are Aeration Kits Necessary?

When are aeration kits necessary? Actually aeration kits are a vital piece of equipment in a pond year round. During the winter months they are used to keep water moving, help to maintain a small opening in the ice and for gas exchange. They are just as important during the hot summer months when warmer waters are not capable of holding as much dissolved oxygen.

There are many factors that affect the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in a pond, these included nutrients, algae and temperature. The DO level in a pond is important because this is the amount of “air” available for pond fish to respire; as these levels drop it makes fishes breathing more difficult and the fish may actually come to the surface of the pond “gasping” for air. In order to correct this problem things such as fountain heads and waterfalls are used to increase oxygen levels. But as stated earlier there are several factors that add to lower oxygen levels. Temperature is one of these factors and with the current heat wave that is hitting some areas of the country fountains and waterfalls may not be enough to maintain an adequate DO level in ponds; in which case pond aeration kits can be an essential piece of equipment in a pond. 

PT1620 Air Pump Kit (50LPM)

Laguna Air Pump Kit

Using an air pump during the warmer, summer months in ponds that have an excess of algae is just as important as using it during the winter months. Aquatic plants, particularly oxygenating plants (anacharis, hornwort, cabomba) will produce oxygen during the day; however at night aquatic plants go into reverse photosynthesis and deplete the water of oxygen, thus lowering the DO levels. This along with warmer waters and high organic levels can cause fish kills; in the ocean this is know as “red tide.”

As we continue to head into the heat of the summer months if you don’t have an aeration kit as part of your pond equipment you may want to give this some serious consideration. Adding an air pump will help to improve the health of you pond and its inhabitants.

For additional reading, visit the Laguna Ponds website.