When the new World of Coca-Cola opened last year next to the Georgia Aquarium, the water ponds in front of the building were as much a featured attraction as the collection of art and memorabilia inside.

A Cirque du Soleil-like show, with colorful entertainers in outrageous costumes wading in the pools, thrilled the throngs of visitors waiting to get in the building.

Rich Addicks/AJC (ENLARGE)

Because of the ongoing drought, the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta is replacing its fountains with plants.

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Today, those ponds are grassy plains with bright flowers and plants.

Officials with the downtown attraction last week replaced the water features, which included a cascading waterfall and a fountain, because of Atlanta's continued drought. "We thought it was a more responsible stance to take," said Jacquie Wansley, a World of Coca-Cola spokewoman.

But, she added, "A vacant pond was not something we wanted to have out front."

How to address water features during the drought has been a big subject of discussion among Atlanta hospitality leaders. While fountains or water gardens do not generate business alone, their aesthetic value adds that special touch that can give a hotel, restaurant or attraction a leg up on the competition.

For example, the water feature next to the outside lounge at the W Hotel in Midtown has been a conversation starter for many of Atlanta's trendy while kids splash and squeal in the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park.

"It has clearly been a part of the allure of attractions," said Tim Mescon, dean of the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University.

Mescon, who will become president of Columbus State University in August, said water elements draw visitors in with their soothing qualities, whether it's a water wall at a hotel or a natural view like the Chattahoochie at restaurant Ray's on the River.

But with water restrictions, many of the city's water features have been turned off, including waterwalls at the Georgia World Congress Center and some of the city's large office towers.

Both the W Hotel and Centennial Olympic Park officials said their water features are compliant with restrictions because the water used is recirculated.

Mark Banta, Centennial general manager, said the park is not operating a reflecting pool and water garden because of the drought. Officials are taking a "wait and see" posture on what will happen with the water features, he said, but they're considering digging a well or cistern to fill them with water.

"We are simultaneously looking at other options," he said.

Wansley said the World of Coke decided to drain the ponds before the state restrictions were put into effect last year. State law allows businesses to water new landscaping for 10 weeks after it is installed, said Wansley.

She said the hope is that planting and watering the plants now — which include liriope, cleyera and Knock Out roses — will give them a chance to take root. To keep them watered in the fall, Coke will use an irrigation system it installed before the attraction opened in 2007 that is environmentally friendly because it has built in sensors that measure how much water is need, Wansley said.

For instance, if watering is set at a specific time, the sensors can detect if a recent rainfall has eliminated the need to water the plants.

"It allows watering based on frequency more than volume," she said. "It only waters based on need."