Why do ponds and water features need to be cleaned? Water features in the landscape build up organic materials and detritus over time by biological processes and wind transport. Fish food, sunlight, dust, and whatever else gets into the pond, all add to the load of the pond’s biological system. Materials can remain suspended in the water or settle to the bottom. When materials settle to the bottom they often fill in the gravel with organics leading to decay of these materials and if there are enough present anaerobic conditions at the bottom of the water feature.
