History of Public Water Supply
A bit of history on this subject might be of interest to some. It is asserted by historians that there are aqueducts in China dating back to prehistoric times. Channels cut in solid rock have been revealed in Jerusalem in recent excavation which indicate that they were used for conveying the water supply from the country near Bethlehem and Hebron. There have been found in these excavations channels of earthen pipes cemented together and covered with rough rocks. The fact is also quite well established that water was brought to Athens from Mount Hymettos and Mount Pentelikon.
As early as 312 B. C. water was carried to Rome through an aqueduct ten miles long. It is estimated that the cost of construction of this aqueduct was about $12,700,000. Another was begun in 272 B. C., the length of which was forty-five miles. The water carried by this aqueduct was not used for drinking but for irrigating purposes and for flushing drains.
Altogether there were at least nine aqueducts that supplied the ancient city of Rome. Of these nine, three are still used to supply modern Rome. One of these was finished by Agrippa in 27 B. C.
We see by the foregoing that from time immemorial there has been a great expenditure of energy and money in producing a proper water supply for the human family. It also reveals the fact that the ancients knew something about engineering projects which some of us are likely to consider as modern accomplishments.