Build a Simple Bell Fountain: In-Ground Water Feature for Patios

Add water sound to your patio with this easy inground pool and fountain. An underground reservoir captures water and houses the pump—safe for homes with small children, reducing safety concerns while offering moving water joy. Personalize with any fountainhead; bell-shape used here but process is same. Create more drama with geyser or multi-tiered sprayhead. Turn an urn into a fountain by running vinyl tubing through it.

What You Need

• Shovel
• Preformed pond liner
• Tarp or wheelbarrow
• Sand
• Pump
• Rigid PVC pipe (to nearest electrical outlet)
• Bell-shape fountainhead
• Window screening
• Concrete block and rocks
• Heavy-duty resin grate
• Jigsaw
• Zip ties
• Hose clamp
• River rock

1. Excavate

Dig hole slightly larger than liner, 1 inch deeper. Liner should fit snugly. Check fit occasionally. Use tarp/wheelbarrow for excavated soil. Spread 1–2 inches sand in bottom.

2. Check the Level

Ensure liner sits level—unlevel features leak and require constant topping off.

3. Backfill

Backfill with fine soil, checking level as you work. Tamp with shovel handle to firm soil and eliminate air pockets.

4. Add Electric

Dig 2-inch-deep trench from outlet to liner. Thread pump cord through PVC pipe, place in trench, cover with soil. Use GFCI-protected outlet.

5. Attach the Pump

Attach fountainhead to pump, or for urn, attach vinyl tubing with hose clamp. Protect pump from debris by loosely wrapping with window screening.

6. Prepare the Basin

Place concrete block and rocks in liner bottom. Cut a door in grate center with jigsaw—just large enough for pump and fountain rise. For urn fountain, attach urn to grate with zip ties (no door). Place grate over liner.

7. Add the Pump

Lower pump onto concrete block. Add flat rocks for desired fountain height. Fill liner with water, test pump, adjust flow to prevent excessive splash. For urn, snake tubing through grate into urn. Finish by topping grate with river rock.