Water Fountain vs. Water Dish for cat?

While using recycled plastic containers to use as water dish for cats is environmentally sound, if these are left under the sun, these plastics break down under the heat. I am not an expert on what chemicals brake downs occur when this happens, but I believe there are consequences. We've had cats for the past 5 years now, and the maximum birth to natural death so far is only 2 and a half years. Noticing this, I immediately changed their water dish with ceramic pot made for pets. I'm guessing this has a more 'natural' feel to it.