Modern waterworks and water towers

By Roberto Colosimo

Waterworks of RomeThe major modern waterworks are:

• Aqueduct of Peschiera-Capore

• Pia Acqua Marcia Aqueduct

• Bracciano (or Paolo) Aqueduct

• Appio-Alessandrino Aqueduct

• New High Vergine Aqueduct (N.A.V.E.)

Aqueduct of Peschiera-Capore

MAIN ASPECTS

• The name comes from two big springs near Rieti from

which it takes its water

• One of the biggest aqueduct in the world using

only spring water

• Total length: about 130 km

• Average flow rate: about 14 m3/s

• Built and completed between 1937 and 1980

• The terminus is a Fountain located in Piazzale degli

Eroi

HISTORY• Conception in the early twentieth century by Eng. Roselli Lorenzini

• First project in 1932, flow rate of 4 m3/s from Peschiera River’s springs, with a big tunnel and an hydroelectric power plant (in Salisano)

• Works started in 1937. In 1943 works stopped because of the war.

• First start in 1949, but with a limited flow rate (1,2 m3/s)

• In 1957 the first project was completed, with an increased flow rate (5,5 m3/s)

• 1966-1971: costruction of the second branch from Salisano hydroelectric power plant. Flow rate increased to 9,5 m3/s

• 1975-1980: connected to Le Capore springs. Final flow rate is about 14 m3/s

Aqueduct of Peschiera-Capore

Terminus fountain of Peschiera-Capore Aqueduct

Pia Acqua Marcia Aqueduct MAIN ASPECTS

• It follows about the same route of the ancient Acqua

Marcia aqueduct

• Opened September 10th 1870, ten days before

Garibaldi’s conquest of Rome.

• Average flow rate: about 4 m3/s

• Total lenght: about 91 km

• Terminus Fountain is the Naiadi fountain, in Piazza della

Repubblica.

Pia Acqua Marcia aqueduct

HISTORY

• The ancient Acqua Marcia acqueduct was built in 144 b.C. by the

praetor Quinto Marcio Re. It took the water from the upper basin of

Aniene River, near Marano Equo, between  Arsoli and Agosta

• Its total lenght was about 62 roman miles, a little more then 91 km.

• The total flow rate was 4.690 quinarie, about 2,2 liters per second

• In the late nineteenth century Pope Pio IX wanted to rebuild the

aqueduct, adding his name to it: “Pia Acqua Marcia”

• In the twentieth century the aqueduct was boosted by several works

• The last enhancement was in 1970, with the eighth siphon to Rome.

Pia Acqua Marcia aqueduct’s terminus fountain

Bracciano (or Paolo) aqueduct

• Opened in 1997.

• It can take up to 6 m3/s of water from Bracciano

lake but at present the potabilization plant can

treat just 4 m3/s.

• Total lenght: about 63 km.

• This aqueduct is employed only when needed,

especially in the summer because of the lower

quality of the water

Appio-Alessandrino aqueduct

• Built and completed between 1963 and 1968.

• Average flow rate: 1,2 mc/s.

• Total lenght: about 20 km.

• Built to furnish the South-East areas of the city.

• It takes water from Appia and Felice-Alessandrina springs.

New High Vergine Aqueduct(N.A.V.E.)

• Built between 1930 and 1937 by Governatorato di Roma.

• Average flow rate: 0,6 mc/s.

• Total lenght: 20,450 km.

• It’s fed by Acqua Vergine springs.

• The terminus Fountain is in Piazza del Popolo on the

side of Pincio.

New High Vergine Aqueduct’s terminus fountain

Water tanks and water towers

• Aqueducts bring water to “water centres”, from which the distribution network begins

• Rome is big city with many areas at different altitudes.

• Areas with different altitudes need separate distribution systems, to avoid problems

• Every “pressure area” needs its own water tank• In “water centres” there are water tanks for

every “pressure area” connected to it.

Water centersIn a water centre usually there is:• an underground water tank• an elevated water tank (or water tower)• a piezometric tower (i.e. a small elevated water tower)

The piezometric tower feeds the upper zone

The water tanks feed lower zones

One of the most famous water center in Rome is the EUR water center, that has a very particular design.

Map of Rome’s aqueducts

Conclusions

• Rome’s aqueduct system is complex, articulated, efficient, widely automatized and monitored by a control room

• Roman citizens nowadays have a large amount of drinkable water, about 600 liters for each inhabitant every day

• The ancient Romans had more: about 1000 litres for each inhabitant every day!

• Water quality is very high because its source is largely spring water.