History of the Water Supply of the World: Arranged in a Comprehensive Form from Eminent Authorities

It is an historical fact that the water supply of Rome, during the first century of our era, was so abundant “that whole rivers flowed through the streets of Rome.” The quantity was estimated at 375 million gallons per day, an equivalent to 375 gallons for each inhabitant. This supply was conducted to the city through nine costly and marvelous conduits of brick and stone, that tunneled hills and crossed rivers and ravines in the boldest manner, presenting most skillful engineering ability. The number was afterwards increased to fourteen. The principal aqueducts were: Aqua Martia, erected B. C. 431, was 38 miles in length, part of which was composed of 7,000 arches. Aqua Claudia, a subterranean channel for 36¼ miles; 10¾ miles a surface conduit, 3 miles a vaulted tunnel, and 7 miles on lofty arcades, had a capacity for delivering 96 million gallons daily. New Anio was 43 miles in length. Some of these aqueducts were made of three distinct arches, one above the other, that conveyed waters from sources of different elevations.

Constantinople presents remains of the skill possessed by the Romans in the numerous subterraneous reservoirs, covered with stone arcades supported by pillars. Pont du Gard is another relict that supplied the town of Nismes, France. “It consists of 3 tiers of arches, the lowest of 6 arches, supporting 11 of equal span in the center tier, surmounted by 35 of smaller size. Its height is 180 feet, the channel way being 5 feet high by 10 feet wide; the capacity was estimated at 14 million gallons per day.”