If you already have a body of water on your property, then you face a big decision – drain it or install an outdoor garden water fountain. Keep in mind that if your pond is free flowing and is connected to an aboveground or underground source, you will different needs of an outdoor garden water fountain than others with stagnant ponds. Even if you don’t have a pond but are considering getting one, installing an outdoor garden water fountain in that pond at the time of construction is recommended.

Health Concerns

Stagnant water causes a lot of problems for not just you, but your neighbors. Although you might think you own your property, your neighbors and the law may make you think otherwise. Ponds or lakes that were once clear and sparkling can become cut off to their sources of aeration like an underground stream or above ground creek for a variety of reasons, especially new construction, drought or river diversion.

An outdoor garden water fountain keeps the water moving, so that heavy layers of smelly algae and baby mosquitoes can't be born. Female mosquitoes need to lay their eggs on still water. The growing larvae can't live in very strong currents. Of course, you could spray for mosquitoes heavily each breeding season, but that winds up being bad for the environment and can wind up making you sick from having to breathe in the spray.

Beauty Concerns

Garden wall water fountains and the like also bring benefits that can't quite be measured in money – although they certainly have been known to raise the value of the properties they are installed on. The sound and sight of moving, gurgling water is one of the universally reliable calming experiences. This is why Zen gardens and Japanese gardens always include an outdoor water garden or a little waterfall somewhere.

With water moving around regularly, and with adequate filtration, you can then expect to draw some hard-pressed wildlife to your home. Species of migrating birds are dying because they've lost many of the watering holes that acted as their refueling stations. Most species of frogs are endangered, so any little bit to help one frog helps not only the species, but in keeping the insect pests down in the summertime.

Check with your accountant to see if your state, province or country will give you a tax break for installing an outdoor garden water fountain. It may count as a home improvement project.