Water Fountain Designs

The Functionality of Different Water Fountain Designs

Christopher Smith

In the ancient ruins of Pompeii which have been uncovered have centuries of lying under the mountain of lava and ash dumped on it by the volcano Vesuvius, archeologists have discovered a number of fountains. Although those living in Pompeii at the time of the disaster weren’t knowledgeable enough to know that the lead pipes feeding their water supplies were dangerous, they still knew how to build systems which siphoned water from under the streets into fountains on the surface so that it could be used by the town’s citizens. Even way back then, water fountains were designed in many different ways. Some were highly ornamental and others were simple basins, but they all were functional to meet the needs of the people.

Modern fountains are designed in many unique ways, too. There are huge, beautiful ones gracing castles, mansions, and public gardens, and there are fountains so small that people put them in their back yards or even inside of their homes. Water fountains are truly functional as well as just being beautiful though. We don’t use them as our primary water source the way the ancient Greeks and Romans did, but they still serve a number of functions. For instance, there are many different water fountain designs that are being made to provide water features inside our homes. The running water can provide a very soothing atmosphere in which people can relax away the stress of the world.

In our yards, water fountains can provide water for birds and other small wildlife. Even when the weather is hot and dry, there can still be cool running water for them to drink and bathe in. Other functional water fountain designs include drinking fountains and splash fountains where people can go to refresh and cool off. A hydrolophone is a unique type of water fountain that was designed to be played like a musical instrument.

For those who are into green technology, there are water fountain designs that incorporate solar water fountains and solar pumps. Without having to rely on an electrical supply for operation, these fountains are both easier to install and less expensive to operate. Some of the different types of solar fountains that are available include cascading solar fountains, tabletop solar fountains, birdbath solar fountains, and solar waterfall kits.