Water galore for 2300 years

Hilda Steinkamp
2 days ago
4 min read

Exploring the Roman water network - Part 2

Aqueducts - Water pipes in Eternal Rome

Rome cherishes its cultural heritage. Three of the 11 aqueducts – the oldest dating from the 4th century BC – have been restored and are still in operation, but now only supplying the large fountain complexes .

The modern water supply provided by ACEA (Azienda Comunale Energia e Ambiente) has been delivered through modern pipe networks since the early 20th century, while continuing the tradition of ancient engineering with new techniques and materials. For health reasons, the remaining old lead pipes must be replaced with stainless steel, copper, or plastic by January 2026. The water flowing from Roman taps meets the highest international quality standards. Tap water in Rome is safe to drink.

In German, we associate "acquedotto" with aqueduct arches. However, the Latin word referred to any kind of water conduit. In ancient Rome, 85% of the pipes ran underground, while air conduits bridged valleys and depressions in multi-story structures.

Today, arched bridges from 7 ancient aqueducts can be admired as monuments in the open Parco degli Acquedotti :

In the city center, ancient Roman aqueducts offer an impressive backdrop for modern events, such as a hippie art market under the arches of the Acquedotto Felice in 2025:

Here I met the artist Mariagiulia Colace , who conjures up cheerfulness in Rome's ancient park:

The Roman water network

It originated and grew with the expanding population. When the water from the Tiber and groundwater wells was no longer sufficient, Appius Claudius Caecus, a statesman in the Roman Republic, commissioned the first aqueduct in his name in 321 BC: the Aqua Appia, which brought water from the surrounding hills and led it into the city.

Rome was a large city at that time, with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. However, it wasn't until the imperial era, in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, that Rome became a metropolis of millions, the center of a vast empire, supplied by 11 aqueducts. With 11 thermal baths, around 1,000 public and private baths, countless latrines, and 1,352 fountains, Rome was a water paradise. Even for modest households that couldn't afford the luxury of their own well, water was readily available from fountains located no more than 80 meters away. It was free and delivered right to their door.

Per capita water consumption in Rome around 400 AD was 370-460 liters per day. Germans currently consume 128 liters per person per day. Modern-day Rome, with its 2.7 million inhabitants, has twice the water demand of Berlin, which has 3.9 million inhabitants.

Rome's water engineering is being revived

With the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, population decline, neglect, and destruction crippled Rome's ingenious water supply system. The engineering knowledge of water management was largely lost. It wasn't until after the Middle Ages that popes once again took an interest in urban development and the welfare of the population. They had the ancient waterways revived at their own expense—and renamed them after their pontiff's name for lasting fame. Thus, for example, the Aqua Traiana became the Acqua Paola (after Pope Paul V Borghese).

Following the founding of the Italian nation-state in 1861, Rome became the capital in 1870. Urban development boomed once again. The growing demand for drinking water was met by restored old and new pipes and numerous small public fountains, or fontanelle, which were functionally designed and decorated with archaeological artifacts. This eliminated the need for artistic work and kept costs down.

Modern urban thirst quenchers: nasoni e casette dell'acqua

The Industrial Revolution made mass production possible. New public drinking fountains, known as nasoni (large noses), were mass-produced in the late 19th century. Cast iron drinking fountains with a curved metal spout: cylindrical, practical, beneficial. A refreshment for humans and animals.

There are now more than 2,800 water fountains (nasoni) throughout the greater Rome area, extending as far as Ostia. The water utility company ACEA offers guidance through its Acquea app: location selection, map, navigation, water quality information, personalized water needs calculation based on size and weight, and a choice between still and sparkling water at the casette dell'acqua.

Water from Rome's nasoni e casette dell'acqua (water houses) is of the highest drinking quality. Dehydrated Roman explorers can refuel here free of charge. This saves money and protects the environment. Likewise, mobile phone batteries can also be charged at the water kiosk, although not all smartphone models are compatible.

The app isn't always reliable. Especially at historical hotspots like the Colosseum, sometimes a water fountain is out of service – simply because it's run dry.

And while dried-up nasoni water dispensers remain active in the app, they stand as modern relics in the urban environment. Just like retro phone booths. So, you just have to use your nose to find nasoni !

Nevertheless, despite the high quality of tap water throughout the city, Romans remain the top consumers of bottled water. Without a deposit system in supermarkets, plastic bottles often end up unsorted in the trash.

In restaurants, serving bottled wine and water remains part of refined dining culture. Requesting free tap water, as is common in the UK and the US, is still considered barbaric in the land of buongustai (gourmets).

In modernized restaurant latrines, I keep encountering charming retro accessories at the handwashing basin: foot pedal and spout.

Cast-iron drains and sewer covers have borne the emblem of the Roman Republic since the early 20th century: S.P.Q.R – Senate and People of Rome. The water management system, with its supply and sewage systems, remains a source of pride for the city of Rome.