Has anyone seen a water-powered control valve that might be used to regulate water supplied to a kids wading pool or splash pad - type recreational facility?  The desire is for something that the kids could actuate by pressing a button or lever to turn on the water for a time,  but the system would time out and shut itself off if nobody is around to re-set the device.  We hope to avoid the expense and safety issues of running electrical power to these facilities, so a system powered entirely by water flow would be ideal.
Thanks for any ideas.

.. Three possible options:

1. Solenoid valves, also 12V or 24V DC battery operated, with or without timers.

2. For larger public baths /swimming pools I have seen time-limited showers where you have to repetedly push a button to keep them going. Oviously mechanical, pressure operated. Mechanism and supplier unknown.

3. You could probably construct or use some standard spring return actuated valve with a press button on/off valve to let the water inside the actuator to actuate the main valve, and let it shut down by draining the water pressure out (free air or drain) by a small controlled sized opening.

Note: safety devices or control to avoid running all the time (night) if your mechanical solutions clog up or not functioning properly.

I wouldn't use electricity (even 12V) and water together for a (unsupervised?) kid's park.  Why not use a simple weight and pully scheme to return the valve, or gate to the zero position?  You could easily enclose all moving parts.  Try a search for old Roman water works designs.

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