How a Modern Public Fountain Is Engineered: Inside the Technology Behind the Harmony Square Water Feature

Public spaces across the country are being redesigned to attract visitors, support community life, and create memorable destinations. Increasingly, a custom-engineered public fountain or interactive splash pad plays a central role in that transformation.

At Laughing Waters, we design, engineer, build, and maintain commercial water features nationwide. One of our showcase projects is the Harmony Square fountain in Tinley Park, Illinois—a year-round plaza anchored by a custom water feature engineered for performance, safety, and community engagement.

Below, we break down the engineering, technology, and design strategies behind modern water features, using Harmony Square as a real-world example.

Understanding the Engineering Behind Modern Public Fountains

Today’s public fountains are far more advanced than traditional ornamental displays. The Harmony Square water feature operates as a modern recirculating fountain system, designed for:

• High public interaction
  
• Efficient water use
  
• Safe, treated water
  
• Low-visibility infrastructure
  
  

The Collector Tank: The Heart of the System

At the center is a large underground collector tank, where all water is:

• Stored
  
• Filtered
  
• Chemically treated
  
• Recirculated
  
  

This system functions similarly to a commercial pool but is designed specifically for splash pads and architectural fountains. Because everything is concealed underground, the public enjoys a seamless, safe experience while the water feature operates continuously behind the scenes.

Inside the Fountain Vault: Technology Hidden Below the Surface

Even the most playful splash pad relies on complex mechanical systems. At Harmony Square, an underground fountain vault houses the specialized technology required for reliable, year-round operation.



Mechanical Components Include:

• High-efficiency pumps & circulation motors
  
• Filtration and sanitation systems
  
• Automated chemical controllers
  
• LED lighting drivers and transformers
  
• Electrical communication systems
  
• Pressure regulators and water-level sensors
  
  

Smart Automation With Delta Fountains Controls

A custom Delta Fountains touchscreen control panel operates the entire feature, managing:

• Water chemistry
  
• Pump sequencing
  
• Flow pressure
  
• Lighting shows and color programs
  
• Operational scheduling
  
  

This smart automation allows operators to change lighting scenes, adjust spray activity, and monitor system performance in real time.

What Laughing Waters Engineered for Harmony Square

As a full-service water feature specialist, Laughing Waters handled the Construction of the complete fountain scope for Harmony Square.

Fabrication & Installation

We installed all core components, including:

• Collector tanks
  
• Pumps, filtration, and dosing systems
  
• Nozzles and spray effects
  
• LED lighting systems
  
• Underground vault equipment
  
  

Programming & Commissioning

We calibrated:

• Spray sequencing
  
• Pressure and flow rates
  
• Lighting shows
  
• Chemical automation
  
• Public use schedules
  
  

Long-Term Maintenance Partnership

Laughing Waters continues to maintain the Harmony Square fountain through seasonal start-ups, inspections, and technical service.

How the Harmony Square Fountain Transformed Tinley Park

Before Harmony Square was built, the area was an open, underutilized field. Today, it is one of Tinley Park’s most active public destinations.

The Fountain Helps Power a Year-Round Community Plaza

• Summer: Kids run through interactive sprays and water sequences
  
• Evenings: LED shows illuminate the plaza
  
• Events: Concerts, markets, and festivals draw large crowds
  
• Winter: The space transitions into an ice-rink programming hub
  
  

The water feature creates motion, sound, play, atmosphere, and identity—turning the plaza into a place where families gather and memories are made.

Need a Custom Fountain or Splash Pad Engineered for Your Project?

Laughing Waters partners with:

• Municipalities & public parks
  
• Landscape architects
  
• Developers
  
• General contractors
  
• Commercial property owners
  
  

We deliver nationwide expertise in:

• Fountain engineering
  
• Splash pad design and construction
  
• Architectural water feature fabrication
  
• Long-term maintenance and service programs
  
  

If you’re planning a public plaza, park upgrade, or commercial development, our team can help you create a signature water feature that transforms your space.