Can You Leave Your Water Fountain Running Constantly? Outdoor water fountains can bring a calming effect on your garden, improve the garden’s aesthetics and attract birds and other wildlife. There’s nothing better than listening to the rippling sound of the water while relaxing in your garden. Water fountains use minimal electricity and don’t need a lot of maintenance, but can you leave your water fountain running all the time? You can leave your outdoor water fountain constantly running as long as you ensure a consistent water supply and clean the fountain regularly. Outdoor water fountains run on submerged water pumps that should be left running for optimal water flow. This article will discuss why you should keep your water fountain constantly running and the harmful effects of turning off the water fountain pump. It will also look at common problems people face with water fountains and how to maintain them properly. So let’s get into it! Should You Turn Off Your Outdoor Water Fountain? You shouldn’t turn off your outdoor water fountain since they run continuously by design. Turning off the water pump often will cause it to get damaged faster. It may also cause other issues associated with stagnant water. Since outdoor fountain water pumps are run on slow settings, they don’t get damaged easily and can run for several years without replacing them. You can turn off your water pump for maintenance and fix the pump, but don’t turn it on and off daily. Some water pumps can get jammed if turned on and off constantly. What Happens if You Leave an Outdoor Water Fountain Off? Leaving your outdoor water fountain off can cause stagnant water and algae growth, leading to pest breeding and other issues. Frequently turning your fountain off can also damage the fountain and the water pump. Stagnant water in water features can contribute to pest breeding, especially among egg-laying insects in the warmer months. It can also result in diseases spreading faster. Algae and other weeds can also grow due to stagnant water. If you have fish in the fountain, the stagnant water could harm the fish’s health. Running water is always cleaner will prevent algae, which is why a flowing river or stream will always be cleaner than a stagnant marsh or pond. The same is true for your outdoor water fountain. So, if you want to keep your fountain clean, disease-free, and prevent algae buildup, keep it flowing constantly. How Long Before Outdoor Fountains Grow Stagnant? Stagnation can occur in most fountains in as little as 24 hours. So you don’t have long before algae growth appears, and the still water invariably attracts adult mosquitoes. Once the mosquitoes are there, the egg laying will begin. As mentioned above, this is primarily a consideration in the warmer months. However, leaving the water in your water feature stagnant is a bad idea no matter the month. What About Indoor Fountains? So far, we’ve only discussed outdoor fountains — water features, garden fountains, and the like. However, the outdoors aren’t the only place where you may have your fountain. For example, should an indoor water fountain stay running constantly? Generally, there is no problem leaving an indoor fountain pump running all the time. The pumps are small and designed for constant use. However, you should keep fresh water in the feature and used distilled water to prevent mineral buildup on the surface. Do Water Fountains Use a Lot of Electricity? Water fountains don’t use a lot of electricity, especially the smaller ones. The typical water fountain runs on a light water pump that uses as much electricity as a light bulb or two. Some energy-saving water fountain pumps are designed to run on solar panels and are entirely self-sufficient. Running an outdoor fountain constantly won’t use a lot of electricity, and the effect on your bill will be barely noticeable. To reduce electricity waste caused by water fountains, you can get an energy-friendly fountain or use an energy-saving pump.