Recirculating Fountains vs. Dedicated Water Source
Water fountains come in two types: recirculating and dedicated water source. The reason for using either is usually dependent on the amount of water that is used in the fountain and the rate of evaporation or water loss through splashing (which may occur in large outdoor fountains).
Recirculating
Most of the fountains that are purchased for residential or small office use are equipped with a pump that continuously circulates the water through the fountain. This simply means that your fountains will contain a reservoir pan to hold water and the pump will continue to recycle the water allowing the fountain to be placed in an area without an adjacent water source.
The small electric pump will pump the water to the top of the fountain. It then runs down the fountain's surface into the reservoir pan and the process continues to repeated.
The fountain will need water added several times a week depending on the area in which you live. The drier the air in your home or office, the more water you will need to add to the fountain due to evaporation. Since fountains are natural humidifiers, if your area is extremely dry or you have gas heat in your home during the winter, you may be adding water more frequently than other times of the year. It is much easier to add water on a daily basis than a large amount less frequently. Try adding water to the fountain when watering the indoor plants and this will create a routine.
A dedicated water source
Some fountains that are used in large commercial setting will have a dedicated water source just for the fountain. No one would want to fill a fountain that may need 50-100 gallons of water daily. Some smaller fountains can be attached to a water line but this is usually a costly project that the ordinary home owner would not want to undertake. This water source could be as simple as a garden hose connected to your outdoor fountain with a floating value to allow water to empty into the fountain when the water level gets low. If you are looking for a large custom fountain with a dedicated water source, then you may want to speak with your plumber for options of where to place the fountain.
The manufacturer of your fountain will typically determine the water source needed.
