8.9.4: Data Dive- Aqueducts of Rome
Overview
All drinking water sources are subject to contamination that require appropriate treatment to eliminate disease-causing pathogens. Sources of water contamination can originate from naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (arsenic, radon, uranium), local land use practices (fertilizers, pesticides), manufacturing processes, and sewage. If left untreated, the presence of contaminants in water can lead to adverse health effects, both acute and chronic. This is why the achievement of the aqueducts of Rome are so astounding! Not only did they water to the residents of Rome, but somehow the Romans were able to identify the cleanest water sources for drinking without the most basic testing equipment. In 1995 Peter Aicher published a book titled, “Guide to the aqueducts of ancient Rome.” The book discusses a lot of the history surrounding the 11 aqueducts while also integrating a more modern analysis of the quality of the water based on where it was sourced. The table below provides a brief overview of the aqueducts along with several notes about their use:
Table \(\PageIndex{a}\): Aqueduct characteristics and notes about water volume, source, quality and use. Table by Rachel Schleiger ( CC-BY-NC ) modified from data in Aicher PJ 1995.
| Aqueduct | Construction Complete | Volume (units) | Water Source | Water Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appia | 312 BC | 31 | Springs | Good |
All underground except inside walls 70% for civic/imperial uses |
| Anio Vetus | 272-269 BC | 74 | River | Poor | Used for baths, gardens, and industry |
| Marcia | 144-240 BC | 78 | Springs | Best |
Pure/cold/hard water Supplied baths |
| Tepula | 126-125 BC | 7 | Streams | Good | Warm water (60F) |
| Julia | 33 BC | 20 | Springs | Good | N/A |
| Virgo | 22-19 BC | 41 | Marsh | Good |
Almost all underground, some along channel Supplied baths |
| Alsietina | 2 BC | 7 | Lake | Poor | Build to supply basin for mock sea battles |
| Claudia | 38-52 AD | 76 | Springs | Good | Built several branches in the city |
| Anio Novus | 38-52 AD | 78 | River | Okay | Quality was poor until later improved |
| Traiana | 109 AD | 47 | Springs | Good | N/A |
| Alexandria | 226 AD | 9 | Springs | Good | Served baths |
Questions
- How many of the 11 aqueducts do you think have drinkable water?
- Does the above answer surprise you? Why/why not?
- How many of the aqueducts with drinkable water come from a higher volume aqueduct?
- Based on what you can observe in the notes, what did the Romans do when water wasn’t drinkable?
- What is the most surprising thing to you about the data presented in the above table? Why?