1998 Honda Accord water pump

Ever since I had this car (8 years), it made a sort of clicking sound when I was stopped idling....was a normal sound that I never really thought about. One year ago, I had the timing belt and water pump changed and still heard that sound. Recently, my car nearly overheated, even though the overflow tank was at maximum (although I had to add to it). Then it was still running hot and I found the radiator fluid was low so I filled it and it seemed to run at normal level but over a week's time, my overflow tank fluid level was back below min. fill line. I took it to the mechanic who visually found no leak (and I had never seen any puddles of antifreeze or water). He put dye in the radiator and found splashes of dye around the water pump area. So my questions are....is it possible to need another water pump so soon after replacing it? and, would a well running water pump make the clicking noise that I no longer hear when idling after having heard it for the last 8 years? Or could that noise have something to do with the cooling fans going on ? thus since I don't hear the noise, maybe the cooling fans are not going on?
Thanks for any tips....hope I explained this OK.
Diane