Already in ancient times, rapidly developing cities needed pipelines to bring clean water from rivers and springs to the cities. Contrary to popular belief, the Romans were not the first to build water supply and sanitation networks, they simply perfected them. The first aqueducts for transporting water were built in the Middle East, and in ancient Greece the technique of diverting water from wells by pipes laid in the ground has been known since the Minoan period.
Ancient aqueducts in history
The Romans were justly proud of their massive aqueducts, which supplied water not only to Rome, but to all the cities of the empire. Water was supplied in lead or ceramic (terracotta) pipes or in stone channels. Structures were used to secure them and ensure proper gradient. The first Roman aqueducts were built by Appius Claudius in 312 BC. Water came from a spring located 62 m above sea level to the east of the city. The aqueducts (depending on the height of the spring and the capacity of the water) ran in underground channels or even in a system of multi-level viaducts.
Rome was thus supplied with water through a network of aqueducts over 400 km long, carrying over a million m3 of water per day. Clean water was supplied to the population mainly from marble public wells or directly to the houses. The rules on taking water into homes were extremely strict: how long water could be piped in, when it could be taken, how it could be taken and who had the right to take it (within the dwelling). Even today, trained professionals are employed to maintain water networks. Eco Viewing.
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