Garden Water Fountains And Their Role in Public Health
Garden Water Fountains And Their Role in Public Health Berkley, CA people voted for a sugar-sweetened beverages tax in February 2014, the first of its kind in the United States. By taxing sugary drinks, the city hopes to inspire more people to decide on healthier choices, such as water. Research was done to guarantee that residents of all races and economic classes had access to clean, operating drinking fountains.
Using information collected by a mobile GPS app, researchers were able to ascertain the condition of existing water fountains in Berkley. Demographic data on race and earnings was then assembled using the US Census database. By cross-referencing the water fountain locations with the demographic information, they were able to identify whether access to working fountains was class dependent. The analysis was able to establish the demographics of areas with water fountains, also noting whether the shape of the fountains was better or inferior in lower class neighborhoods. Most of the water fountains were dirty or plugged, regardless of the fact that the majority of fountains worked.
Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin? A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.
Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Residents of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Roman fountains often depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public areas and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.