The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Fountains

Experts recommend that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough cleaning every 3-4 months. Before you can start cleaning it you must empty out all of the water. When it is empty, scrub inside the reservoir with a mild cleanser. Feel free to use a toothbrush if necessary for any stubborn crevasses. Any soap residue remaining on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms could get inside the pump, so you should disassemble it to get it truly clean. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it much less difficult to scrub. If you want to minimize build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water versus tap water, as these don’t contain any components that will stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is low. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you don't want that!
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots

The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to supply potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the designer. Roman fountains usually depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for fresh, 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.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.