AQUEDUCTS

In the distance can be seen remnants of the Claudian aqueduct, built by the Roman Emperor Claudius, from 41 to 54 A.D. It is one of nine aqueducts which provided water for ancient Rome. The structure was quite tall for a distance of over six miles (9.5 km.), and at one point reached 109 feet (33 m.) in height.

The nine aqueducts brought water from mountain lakes and springs from as far as sixty miles (97 km.), and had a capacity of over 300 million gallons per day. As I write this, my community known as Miami-Dade County, has imposed water restrictions on its populace for the third consecutive year, having gone through similar crises as far back as 1972. There are just too many people living in an area not really sustainable, water-wise. Salt water abundantly nearby, is, however, non-potable. But the Romans had their sources.

The thing about aqueducts is that they were constructed to be able to provide a continuous slope downhill, then reaching the city where pumps were provided. Rome has always been famous for its fountains, and the steady flow of water contributed to their success. In fact, Roman colonies provided fountains for utilitarian purposes, turning a necessity into a work of art. Roman markets, where fruit is sold, require washing of that fruit, and the local fountain, placed strategically (and decoratively) in the center of the market place, performs that function even today.