Helen Pietrusiewicz, a scholar at the Monterey
Park-based American Feng Shui Institute, notes
that along with fire, earth, metal and wood, water
is one of the five elements of classical feng
shui.

This is one case where the sound-masking qualities
of water fountains might be counterproductive.

Classical feng shui tries to block the flow of
negative energy—sha chi—into a building. Sha chi
includes anything that offends the senses,
including loud noises. However, according to the
principles of classical feng shui,
using a loud sound to cover up another sound could
create its own form of negative energy.

Some artists and audiophiles have a fascination
with water and its sound.

Chuck Plaisance has recorded Brazilian
rainforests, Hawaiian waterfalls, Malibu waves,
Louisiana thunderstorms, bathtubs and bubbling
Jacuzzis.

Based in the Los Angeles area, Plaisance has
issued scores of compact discs for consumers and a
five-disc set of cinematic sound effects where
water plays a major role. He's heard the low-end
steam engine churn of volcanic Hawaiian
waterfalls, the high-frequency sounds of misty
small waterfalls, and the mid-range sounds of
water hitting water.

Although Plaisance has his sound library playing
constantly in a 200-CD changer, he finds he needs
something more.

\"In my living room I have a couple of fountainsÂ…

To sleep at night it's just incredible,\" he said.


Researchers have not isolated the impact of water
sounds on human physiology, but one 1997 study
came close.


Dr. Lee S. Berk, formerly of Loma Linda
University, and currently assistant adjunct
professor at UC Irvine College of Medicine
performed the study.