10. Differences

What are the differences with modern aqueducts?		 On the internet there are enough stupid answers to good questions.
Here a set of questions with relevant answers, some of which are linked to related subjects as discussed in other places within this website www.romanaqueducts.info

Additional questions and remarks are most welcome via w.d.schram 'at' romanaqueducts.info

Questions

  1. What are the differences between ancient and modern aqueducts?
View inside the channel of the Aqueducto das Aguas Livres, the 18 km long aqueduct from the 18th c supplying Lisbon (Portugal). Original is was an open channel system, on a later date furnished with iron pipes. Near central Lisbon the channel / pipes crosses the Alcantara valley by means of an aqueduct bridge of almost 1.000 meter length and a maximum height of 65 meters (the maximum level of the Roman Pont du Gard channel was almost 50 meters above the river bed).
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Answer

  • The transport of Roman aqueduct water was based on gravity, there was almost no pressure involved like in pipes
  • Often the water was transported in open channels, only in towns (lead) pipes were used. Note: in the eastern part of the Roman empire (Greece, Turkey etc) also pipes were used in aqueducts
  • En route there were no storage facilities, apart from reservoirs in the Roman cities
  • The water flowed constantly; only in some towns stopcocks were applied
  • There was no quality control nor water purification
  • The bulk of the water went to public fountains, just a small part was for personal hygiene or industry
  • Measuring water consumption was problematic (see quinaria and calix)