|
Long Live The Roman Aqueducts
 Rita Mailheau
I used to work for a tech company in Southern California. I rubbed elbows with engineering intelligentsia not only from North America but also from Europe and Asia. The bill of fare for our potluck lunches rivaled the finest authentic international cuisine in the area.
Though these were some of the nicest guys you'd ever meet, most needed to work on their communication skills, so our company offered a Toastmasters group where they could overcome shyness and get comfortable in their own skin. I jumped at the opportunity to hone my own skills, as well.
One week I presented something about the ancient Roman aqueducts. Among the engineering achievements of the ancient world, and Roman contributions were significant, the aqueducts were among the finest. More than a few of the aqueducts are still in use: four in Rome, including the source for the Trevi Fountain; one in Segovia, Spain; and four in Almucar, Spain. Still others of these magnificent structures continue to carry clean water from the mountains to the people.
One reason I believe the aqueducts are still standing two thousand years later lies in their structural configuration. To prevent contamination, Roman engineers built below ground wherever possible. Clean water was essential during a siege. Underground structures were less prone to collapse. Furthermore, water flowed through the channel by the pull of gravity at a slow grade or angle to prevent clogging. Think of a highway. As you travel the flatlands, rise and fall are barely noticeable but drive over a mountain, and the stress on your vehicle brakes increases. Prolonged stress causes failure. Part of their longevity stems from the lack of stress over time. Further, Rome maintained the aqueducts all over the Empire ensuring that this vital resource supported their ever-expanding numbers and settlements.
| 
