Waterfalls · Rock & sheer-descent fountains · Spillways · Bubblers · Fire & water
Pool Fountains & Waterfalls in Phoenix, AZ
The right water feature turns a plain pool into the backyard everyone wants to be in. We design, engineer, and build waterfalls, fountains, spillways, bubblers, and fire-and-water features for Phoenix-metro pools — new builds and remodels alike.
A pool water feature is the single fastest way to make a backyard feel like a resort. Moving water looks beautiful, muffles traffic and neighbor noise, keeps the surface aerated, and gives kids something to play in. We Fix Ugly Pools® has designed and built water features across the Phoenix metro since 2001, and we build the plumbing and structure to last in Arizona’s heat — not just the look.
What kinds of pool water features can you add?
“Water feature” covers a wide range of options, from a single bubbler on a tanning ledge to a multi-level rock waterfall with a grotto behind it. The most popular choices we build for Valley homeowners are:
Rock waterfalls
Natural or artificial boulder waterfalls that cascade into the pool, often paired with a raised spa or grotto.
Bowl & rock fountains
Fire-and-water bowls or stone bowls that spill a graceful arc of water into the pool.
Sheer-descent waterfalls
A smooth, wide sheet of water falling from a raised wall or spa edge for a clean, modern look.
Scuppers & spillways
Troughs and channels that spill water from a raised spa, wall, or planter into the pool below.
Bubblers & deck jets
Bubblers on a tanning ledge and arcing laminar deck jets that leap over the water.
Fire & water features
Fire bowls and fire-and-water combinations that frame the pool with flame and falling water at night.
Waterfalls: the centerpiece feature
A waterfall is still the most-requested feature we build. It can be a rugged, multi-tier boulder cascade that makes the backyard feel like a mountain spring, or a sleek sheer-descent sheet pouring off a raised wall. Many of our waterfalls double as the spillway from a raised spa, so the heated water trickles into the pool and the whole structure earns its keep.
Waterfalls also solve real backyard problems. The sound of falling water blocks street and neighbor noise, a raised rock wall adds privacy, and a waterfall is the perfect way to dress up a terraced hillside or an awkward slope. Pair one with a cave or grotto and you have a true destination in your own yard.
Fountains, bowls & bubblers
Fountains keep the water moving and add visual drama without the scale of a full rock waterfall. A stone or fire-and-water bowl spills a clean arc into the pool and looks stunning lit at night. A narrow fountain spray can stay on while you swim, so kids can play in it like a sprinkler, while a wider spray helps circulate and aerate a larger pool.
On a tanning ledge, bubblers churn a few inches of water where toddlers play and loungers sit half-submerged. Laminar deck jets arc a glass-like rope of water over the pool — a favorite for modern designs and a hit with kids. These smaller features are an affordable way to add movement and are easy to work into a custom pool or a remodel.
Fire & water, designed together
Fire-and-water bowls flanking a spillover spa are one of the most dramatic upgrades we build. Because we design the feature, the plumbing, the gas line, and the lighting as one package, everything lines up and runs the way it should. Explore the full menu of upgrades on our pool features page.
How do water features affect pool cost?
Water features are priced on top of the pool itself, and the range is wide because a single bubbler and a two-story rock waterfall with a grotto are very different projects. As a general guide, individual features and feature packages typically fall in the $15,000–$30,000 feature-tier range on a remodel, depending on how many you add and how elaborate they are. A couple of bubblers or a single sheer-descent spillway sits at the lower end; a large boulder waterfall with a grotto, custom rockwork, and fire bowls sits at the top.
On a new build, water features are a big part of what separates a standard pool from a luxury one. New pools generally start around $38,000–$60,000, and projects with major water features, grottos, or beach entry commonly run $60,000 and up. We quote every feature after we see your yard, your existing equipment, and your plan, so the number reflects your actual pool — not a generic menu price.
Pump & plumbing: the part you don’t see
The difference between a water feature that runs quietly for years and one that disappoints usually comes down to the plumbing and pump, not the rockwork. Here is what matters:
- Dedicated circulation. Big waterfalls and sheets move a lot of water, so they often need their own feature pump rather than borrowing flow from the main filter pump.
- Correctly sized pipe. Undersized plumbing starves a waterfall and makes the pump work too hard; we size the lines to the feature so it looks full and runs efficiently.
- Variable-speed control. A variable-speed pump lets you turn a feature up for a party or down to a trickle, and keeps energy use in check in Arizona’s long swim season.
- Separate valves. Each feature gets its own valve so you can run the waterfall without the deck jets, or shut everything off for a quiet swim.
- Gas & electric for fire. Fire and fire-and-water features need a properly run gas line and ignition, which we plan and install to code.
- Lighting integration. LED and color-changing lights are wired in during the build so the feature looks as good at night as it does by day.
How we design and build your water feature
On-site design
We look at your yard, pool, and equipment and design a feature that fits the space and your budget.
Plumbing & structure
We build the footings, plumbing, pump, and any gas and electrical the feature needs.
Rockwork & finish
Boulders, sheer-descent walls, bowls, or scuppers are set and finished to match your pool.
Tune & walk-through
We balance the flow, set the lighting, and show you how to run every feature.
As seen in the news
Recognized across Arizona & national media
We Fix Ugly Pools and owner Brian Morris, “the Ugly Pool Guy,” hold a world record for the fastest pool build and have been featured by national and Arizona outlets, including as expert pool columnists for The Arizona Republic.
“They completely transformed our backyard. The crew was professional, the finish is gorgeous, and it’s held up beautifully in the Arizona heat. Worth every penny.”
Finish it right: lighting & seating
Lighting is what makes a water feature unforgettable after dark. We build LED and color-changing lights into the waterfall, bowls, and spillways so the moving water glows at night — beautiful to look at and safer for an evening swim. Options run from bright primary colors to soft pastels and full color-changing scenes.
Features also create places to relax. A raised rock wall or waterfall base becomes a bench or a spot to sit near the spray, and a grotto or shaded ledge gives you a seat out of the sun. We design the feature and the seating together so the finished pool works for how your family actually uses it.
Why Phoenix homeowners trust us with water features
- Licensed & insured. A licensed Arizona contractor, ROC KA5-275609 (residential), KB2-304269 (commercial), and KA5-353555.
- We engineer the plumbing. The pump, pipe, and valves are sized to the feature, not an afterthought.
- Design and build in one team. Rockwork, gas, electrical, and lighting handled together.
- Built for Arizona. Features and finishes chosen to hold up in 115° heat and hard water.
- 700+ renovations a year. We’ve built every kind of feature the Valley asks for since 2001.
- 4.9 stars from 305+ homeowners. Serving the entire Phoenix metro.
Ready to add a water feature?
Get a free design consultation and a clear, written quote for your waterfall, fountain, or fire-and-water feature.