Raffi at 14:49, 9 April 2007

2007-04-09T14:49:30Z

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[[Image:Vb2.PNG|thumb|250px|Three traditional fountain features: a low jet, a pair of raised basins, and sculpture with a water theme, here [[Hippocampus (mythology)|hippocamp]]s ([[Villa Borghese gardens|Villa Borghese]], Rome)]]
A traditional '''fountain''' is an arrangement where water issues from a source ([[Latin]] ''fons''), fills a basin of some kind, and is drained away. Fountains may be [[wall fountain]]s or free-standing. In fountains sheets of water may flow over varied surfaces of stone, concrete or metal. Basins may overflow from one into another, or the overflow may imitate a natural [[cascade]]. Many fountains are located in small, artificial ornamental ponds, basins and formal garden pools, and often they include [[sculpture]].

One of the most common features of a fountain, if there is enough pressure, is a ''jet''  or multiple jets, where water is forced into the air under pressure to some height. A famous example of such a modern fountain rises from the surface of [[Lake Geneva]] (''bottom of the page'').

== History ==
Early fountains depended on the natural gravity flow of water, from a [[spring (hydrosphere)|spring]] or [[aqueduct]] supplied by a distant and higher source of water, which provided [[Head (hydraulic)|hydraulic head]].

Hellenistic hydraulic engineers employed great originality in designing fountains, where the water pressure might be employed to animate [[automaton|automata]] and water organs.

Other early fountains were geometrically regularized springs, developed in the classic Persian garden. In the 16th century elaborate fountain displays were garden features of [[Mannerism|Mannerist]] gardens of Central Italy and the [[Mughal]] gardens of [[India]].

[[Early Modern English]] employed ''fountain'' to refer to a natural spring water or source, which the 16th century garden fountain might consciously imitate in a [[grotto]].

[[image:Flora-Fountain.jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Flora Fountain]] in [[Mumbai]], [[India]].]]

==Fountain of life==

{{Main|Fountain of Life}}

Christian [[allegory]] made much use of the concept of the fountain, specifically the Fountain of Life, associated with the rebirth that was intended to be experienced at the [[Baptismal font]]. The Fountain of Life appears in Christian illuminated manuscripts of [[Late Antiquity]], and elaborate Gothic fountains formed centerpieces for exclosed gardens. An offshoot of the Fountain of Life was the legend of the [[Fountain of Youth]], which [[Juan Ponce de León]] sought in [[Florida]]. From the Fountain of Youth one can drink to gain immortality, or to regain one's youth.

The practical Romans marked the delivery end of [[aqueduct (Roman)|aqueducts]] with a public fountain, a practice that was revived in Rome in the 15th century, when the restored [[Aqua Felice]] once more delivered a symbolic presentation of its waters to Rome in the original [[Trevi Fountain]], since replaced by the familiar [[Baroque]] fusion of water, architecture and sculpture.

== Animated fountains ==

[[Image:Brooklyn-museum-splash-fountains1302p-nobather.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Animated fountain in front of the Brooklyn Museum consists of laminar flow water jets.]]

Animated fountains often use laminar jets that provide water that moves like [[ping pong]] balls in animation, so that it breaks up, as the height varies, and the behaviour of each jet operates independently with up to 5 Hz modulation frequency (1/5 second), so that the water packets collide with themselves. For example, such fountains can spit up one ball of water which then explodes, showering people with a fine mist.

A [[musical fountain]] is a type of fountain that uses laser and [[harmonics]] principles to create [[dimension|three-dimensional]] images that look like [[hologram]]s.

== Other meanings ==

In [[Islam]] a fountain is the name of the place in the [[Mosque]] where worshippers can wash before Prayer.

[[Image:Water fountains - two stainless steel.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A pair of drinking fountains.]]
A '''water fountain''' or '''drinking fountain''' is designed to provide drinking water and has a basin arrangement with either continuously running water or a [[Tap (valve)|tap]]. Modern indoor drinking fountains may incorporate [[filter (water)|filter]]s to remove impurities from the water and chillers to reduce its temperature. In some regional dialects, water fountains are referred to as [[bubbler]]s. Water fountains are usually found in public places, like schools, rest areas and grocery stores.

[[Image:Internationalfountain.jpg|thumb|250px|International Fountain (Seattle) was designed specifically as a [[bathing fountain]] (for fun and frolic) and includes a large nonslip play area, with speakers for music to splash to.]]

A '''[[splash pad|splash fountain]]''' or '''[[bathing|bathing fountain]]''' is a fountain intended for people to cool off in. Although many fountains were not designed as bathing fountains, children of all ages often use them for that purpose. Some fountains are fenced in, or have raised edges as a barricade to keep people out. In other situations, fountains are designed to allow easy access, and feature nonslip surfaces, so that people can safely use them to cool off in on hot summer days.

More recently, splash fountains have begun to appear. These have zero standing water, to eliminate possible drowning hazards, so that no lifeguards or supervision is required. These '''[[splash pads]]''' are often located in public pools, public parks, or public playgrounds (known as '''spraygrounds''').

[[Image:Dundas-square-splash-fountains1024.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A jogger cools off in the splash fountain that forms the main centerpiece of a flat open space known as Dundas Square at the heart of downtown Toronto. This fountain was designed and built for waterplay, and undergoes strict water quality testing standards. The water is heated using solar energy picked up by special dark colored nonslip granite slabs.]]
A recent example of a public splash fountain, intended for waterplay, is the one located in Toronto's [[Dundas Square]]. It consists of 600 ground nozzles arranged in groups of 30 (3 rows of 10 nozzles). Each group of 30 nozzles is located beneath a stainless steel grille. Twenty such grilles are arranged in two rows of 10, right in the middle of the main walkway through Dundas Square. Both the architects and the designers have confirmed that these were intended for waterplay, and the facility operators have confirmed that the water is treated to pool water quality standards, and that the water quality is tested, by the health department, at least once a day. The entire surface of Dundas Square is made of special nonslip square granite slabs that match the size of the metal grilles. The special texture on the slabs ensures that they are not slippery when wet.

A '''spray fountain''' is fountain designed to serve as a play area where children (and sometimes adults) can run around and cool off under a canopy of water. Spray fountains are becoming popular in areas where the construction of public pools is difficult or costly, such as urban areas. However, spray fountains can also be used to enhance a pool's surrounding play area.

== Design ==

[[Image:Fountain-NapierNewZealand-LongExposure.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An ornamental lit fountain photographed at night for about 6 seconds.]]
[[Image:reutf.jpg|thumb|The fountain of Reutov, Moscow region]]

In modern fountains the traditional gravitational pressure from an unseen reservoir at a higher level is not always practical. In many circumstances fountains obtain their water from a closed, [[recirculation|recirculating system]] that must still be filled at the start from the local water supply system and also topped up through its life to offset the effects of [[evaporation]]. Allowance must also be made to handle overflow in the case of heavy rain.

The pressure that causes water to move through the fountain may be produced instead by a motor-driven (often [[submersible]] electric) pump. "Static head" is useful to quantify this pressure: see [[Head (hydraulic)]]. Generally is used a flexible [[solar panel]] (12 [[V]]) to save energy and work all the day.

A [[Filter (water)|water filter]], typically a [[media filter]], removes particles from the water -- this filter requires its own pump to force water through it and plumbing to remove the water from the pool to the filter and then back to the pool. The water may need chlorination or anti-algal treatment, or may use biological methods to filter and clean water.

The [[pump]]s, filter, electrical switch box and plumbing controls are often housed in a "plant room".
Low-voltage lighting, typically 12 [[volt]] [[direct current]], is used to minimise electrical hazards. Lighting is often submerged and must be suitably designed

== Fountains for celebration ==
[[Image:CanberraMetalFountain.jpg|thumb|A metal [[sculpture]] fountain in [[Canberra]]]]
The University at Albany hosts an annual "Fountain Day," a day on which the university community comes together to celebrate the arrival of [[Spring (season)|spring]] and the near-end of the semester. Drawing large crowds, the fountain-centered event creates something akin to an [[urban beach]].

Initiated by the Human Awareness Program (HAP) in 1979, Fountain Day is a school-sponsored event designed to break down the barriers that separate students and faculty. Fountain Day 2004 drew massive negative media attention when alcohol abuse and overcrowding resulted in multiple student injuries. In response, the University moved the event to a weekend, increased security, and limited fountain area admittance to UAlbany students only. The fountain itself remains at the literal and symbolic center of the University community, and Fountain Day continues to celebrate that centrality annually.

==Fountains that are musical instruments==
[[Image:Hydraulophone45jets091.jpg|thumb|Waterflute with 45 finger-embouchure holes]]
A [http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=1180639.1180751 hydraulophone] ("water flute") is a fountain that people can play (it's a musical instrument) as well as play in. These fountains are like woodwind instruments (e.g. flutes) but they use water instead of air. The [[embouchure]] of the instrument occurs at the finger holes (referred to as "mouths"). Waterflutes often have multiple "mouths", so that a player can put each finger into a different mouth at the same time, in order to play chords, while independently manipulating each finger for separate and individual control of the embouchure of each note in a chord. A skilled hydraulist can slightly "bend" each note in order to play just intonation in any desired key, or to gently and fluidly vary intonation or temperament as a piece of music changes from one key to another.

Hydraulophones installed in parks, pools, playgrounds, etc., make playing in a fountain an educational and culturally rewarding experience.

== Water quality issues ==
[[Image:Fresh water fountain.jpg|thumb|150px|A fountain in the Swiss [[Alps]] used as a drinking source.]]
There is a need for good water quality in contemporary fountains, regardless of their avowed intended use. Regardless of the fact that some fountains are designed and built not as bathing fountains, but are rather used simply as architectural decor, people will often drink from, bathe or wash their hands in any fountain. Additionally, fountain spray can contain legionella bacteria and has been linked to legionnaires' disease outbreaks. Therefore, minimum water quality standards are necessary, regardless of intended use. Guidelines have been developed for control of legionella in ornamental fountains. [http://www.legionellarm.com (Legionella Risk Management-Guidelines)]

In theory, a free-standing water feature should not have a [[bather load]], and subsequently, many builders would not choose to install filters or sanitation devices. In reality, however, people will interact with ornamental water fountains in the most surprising ways. In [[Disneyland]], for example, people have been reported to change their babies' diapers and then wash their hands in the water fountain (thus adding unexpected bacteria and organics into the water). [http://www.poolspanews.com/2004/081/081hydraulics.html (Pool and Spa News Online)]

== US: Legal liability ==
In July 1997, an outbreak of [[Cryptosporidiosis]] was connected to an ornamental fountain at the Minnesota Zoo, which did not have proper filtration and water treatment. Children played in fountains and swallowed water, and spurted the water out of their mouths to mimic the way nozzles in the fountain spurted the water. It was therefore necessary to put a fence around the fountain to keep people away.

In the United States fountain operators and owners are legally liable for failure to either fence-in fountains, or to properly filter, chlorinate or otherwise treat the water, if the fountains are not fenced in. If the water is unsafe, fences must be designed to keep people far enough away, so that they cannot touch the water, otherwise children get water on their hands, and put their fingers into their mouths, and end up getting sick, thus subjecting owners and operators to legal liability. Drowning would also be an issue.

==Fountains not using water==
===Mercury fountain===
{{main|Mercury fountain}}

For the Barcelona exhibition of 1937, [[Alexander Calder]] created a memorial fountain in remembrance of the miners who were killed at the [[mercury (element)|mercury]] mines at Almadén, which uses mercury instead of water. (Today it is enclosed behind glass.)

*[http://www.ics.uci.edu/~eppstein/pix/bar/miro/Almaden1.html pictures of ''Mercury Fountain'' at the Fundació Miró by David Eppstein]
*[http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/spain/barcelona/fundmiro/calder.html pictures of ''Mercury Fountain'' by Mary Ann Sullivan]

===Gin fountain===
During New York City's first drought emergency in modern times, [[Gene Moore (window dresser)|Gene Moore]], window designer for [[Tiffany's]], created sparkling fountains hung with diamonds. On a Tiffany card in a corner was a note explaining: "This is not New York's precious water. This is gin."
*Gene Moore, with Jay Hyams, 1990. ''My Time at Tiffany's''

== Famous traditional fountains ==
[[Image:Jet-d'eau-Genève.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Jet d'Eau]] in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]].]]
*The [[Jet d'Eau]] in Lake Geneva
*[[King Fahd's Fountain]] in [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]]. (World's Highest Fountain).
*The [[Trafalgar Square]] fountains in [[London]]
*The garden fountains of the [[Palace of Versailles]] near [[Paris]]
*[[Buckingham Fountain]] in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]
*The staircase and Atlas fountains at [[Peterhoff]], the summer palace of [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]]
*[[Fontana di Trevi]] in [[Rome]]
*The [[Wallace fountain]]s of [[Paris]]
*[http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2344087.gbi Various] fountains, including the [http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2456535.gbi "Fountain of Lions"] at the [[Alhambra]], [[Granada]], [[Spain]]
*[[Swann Memorial Fountain]] in [[Philadelphia]]
*[[Triton Fountain]] in [[Italy]]
*The fountains of [[Peterhof]]
*The fountains of [[Caserta Palace]] in southern [[Italy]]

== Some modern fountains ==
<div style="float:right;">
[[Image:Eatons center fountain2005jul09 16h51q.jpg|thumb|none|250px|Fountain in the Eaton Centre (across Yonge Street from Dundas Square) basement.]]
[[Image:Fountain Namba Walk.jpg|none|250px|thumb|Namba Walk at Osaka City]]
</div>
*[[Toronto Eaton Centre]] in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. There are 44 outer nozzles (each 3/8in dia. equiv. to clearstream product) which fill a giant bowl that sprays 20 nozzles up, one central nozzle shoots up approximately 10 meters, 3 times in succession, then the process repeats. Along the far side there is zero-depth entry (no barrier, and the plane of the water matches the plane of the floor).
*Fountains in front of [[Brooklyn Museum]] (frequent frolicking, no standing water; less chance of drowning)
* [[Place Montreal Trust]] has highest water spout in North America, 30 meters or 5 stories high.
*[[Dundas Square]] fountains designed by artist Dan Euser as both an architectural landmark as well as for frolicking (waterplay)
*[[Centennial Olympic Park]] (computer animated frolicking fountain with 251 ground nozzles that shoot 12 to 35 feet in the air)
*[http://www.igougo.com/planning/journalEntryActivity.asp?JournalID=36423&EntryID=39869&n=Canada+Place Vancouver's Harbour Green urban park with pavement waterworks fountains that kids can frolic in]
*[[Fountain of Wealth]] (largest fountain in the world since 1998) [http://www.sunteccity.com.sg/fountain/index.htm In Singapore]
*[[King Fahd's Fountain]] in [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]], the world's tallest fountain.
*The [[Gateway Geyser]], the world's 2nd tallest fountain, located in the town of [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]], [[Illinois]].
[[Image:Karachibeach with new fountain jet.jpeg|thumb|250px|The World's Second Tallest Fountain]]
*[[Port Fountain]], World's second tallest fountain located in [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]].
*Fountain in [[Fountain Hills, Arizona|Fountain Hills]], [[Arizona]].
*[[Tyler Davidson Fountain]] at [[Fountain Square]] in downtown [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]].
*The [http://www.nycjpg.com/2003/pages/0905.html waterfall cascade] at [http://www.pps.org/gps/one?public_place_id=69 Paley Park], [[New York City]].
*The [http://www.chhs.nsw.edu.au/chhs4b5.htm El Alamein Memorial Fountain] in Fitzroy Gardens, [[Kings Cross, New South Wales|Kings Cross]], [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. Tubes and nozzles radiating from a [http://www.agit8.org/pixblog/?showimage=114 hollow sphere].
*The fountain at [[Point State Park]] in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]].
*[http://bellagio.com/pages/attrac_highfountain_noflash.asp ''The Fountains of Bellagio''] at the [[Bellagio (hotel and casino)|Bellagio]] hotel and casino in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]].

== See also ==
* [[Submersible]] fountain [[pump]]
* [[Solar panel]]
* [[Indoor waterfall]]
* [[Urban beach]]

==External links==

{{commonscat|Fountain}}

*Oregon Museum of Science and History [http://www.omsi.edu/visit/physics/ww/ WaterWorks] page where you can investigate and build your own fountain and also view a gallery.
*[http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/discover/visitor/landmarks_fountains.htm Public fountains] in [[Adelaide]], [[Australia]]
*Kansas City, [http://www.kcfountains.org/ "City of Fountains"]
*[http://www.peterhof.org/fount/ Fountains] of [[Peterhof]], [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]]
*[http://www.legionellarm.com/guidelines/guidelines.htm Legionella]
*[http://wearcam.org/osc/opening/ Ontario Science Centre's main fountain (hydraulophone)]

[[Category:Fountains|Fountain]]
[[Category:Water]]

Fountain - Revision history

Raffi at 14:49, 9 April 2007