| In the ancient ruins of Pompeii which have been | | | | number of functions. For instance, there are many |
| uncovered after centuries of lying under the | | | | different water fountain designs that are being |
| mountain of lava and ash dumped on them by | | | | made to provide water features inside our homes. |
| the volcano Vesuvius, archeologists have | | | | The running water can provide a very soothing |
| discovered a number of fountains. Although those | | | | atmosphere in which people can relax away the |
| living in Pompeii at the time of the disaster | | | | stress of the world. |
| weren't knowledgeable enough to know that the | | | | In our yards, water fountains can provide water |
| lead pipes feeding their water supplies were | | | | for birds and other small wildlife. Even when the |
| dangerous, they still knew how to build systems | | | | weather is hot and dry, there can still be cool |
| which siphoned water from under the streets into | | | | running water for them to drink and bathe in. |
| fountains on the surface so that it could be used | | | | Other functional water fountain designs include |
| by the town's citizens. Even way back then, | | | | drinking fountains and splash fountains where |
| water fountains were designed in many different | | | | people can go to refresh and cool off. A |
| ways. Some were highly ornamental and others | | | | hydrolophone is a unique type of water fountain |
| were simple basins, but they all were functional to | | | | that was designed to be played like a musical |
| meet the needs of the people. | | | | instrument. |
| Modern fountains are designed in many unique | | | | For those who are into green technology, there |
| ways, too. There are huge, beautiful ones gracing | | | | are water fountain designs that incorporate solar |
| castles, mansions, and public gardens, and there | | | | water fountains and solar pumps. Without having |
| are fountains so small that people put them in | | | | to rely on an electrical supply for operation, these |
| their back yards or even inside of their homes. | | | | fountains are both easier to install and less |
| Water fountains are truly functional as well as just | | | | expensive to operate. Some of the different |
| being beautiful though. We don't use them as our | | | | types of solar fountains that are available include |
| primary water source the way the ancient | | | | cascading solar fountains, tabletop solar fountains, |
| Greeks and Romans did, but they still serve a | | | | birdbath solar fountains, and solar waterfall kits. |