> running water is likely to have plenty of other life in it
And still water isn't?
And still water isn't?
In Rivers there are likely fishes etc, that's not the case with still water, as it often goes bad really quickly unless there is a filter installed, which usually also introduces some oxygen into the water etc.
Another reason why Mosquitos usually only use still water is that the surface tension is necessary for them to inject their eggs, and moving water doesn't support their weight