Where does tap water come from?

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Where does tap water come from?
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Modern waterworks and water towers
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Have you ever considered how many things you can
do with tap water? Could you live without
it?Houses, schools and offices in the developed
countries are all connected to a water supply.

• We dont all have ... a tap!

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The Acea Group
Among the most important Italian public
utilities, Acea is an industrial Group which
focuses on the consolidation and creation of
value from its two main activities, energy and
water. Stock market listed since 1999, it deals
with the management of energy, environmental and
water services the production, sale and
distribution of energy, the development of
renewable sources, the disposal and creation of
energy from waste, the public and artistic
lighting, and an integrated water service
(aqueducts, sewerage and purification). Acea has
always taken seriously its corporate social
responsibility, and pays particular attention to
all stakeholders, profitability, service quality
and sustainable development.
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• .

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Waterworks of Rome

• The 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.)

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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

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Aqueduct of Peschiera-Capore

• HISTORY
• Conception in the early twentieth century by Eng.
  Roselli Lorenzini
• First project in 1932, flow rate of 4
  m3/s from Peschiera Rivers 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

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Terminus fountain of Peschiera-Capore Aqueduct
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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
  Garibaldis 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.

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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.

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Pia Acqua Marcia aqueducts terminus fountain
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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

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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.

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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.
• Its fed by Acqua Vergine springs.
• The terminus Fountain is in Piazza del Popolo on
  the side of Pincio.

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New High Vergine Aqueducts terminus fountain
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Trevi Fountain Acqua Vergine
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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.

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Water centers

• In 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.

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Map of Romes aqueducts
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The typical nasone in Rome
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Conclusion

• Romes 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.

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Laudato si, mi Signore, per soracqua, la
quale è multo utile et humile et pretiosa et
casta.1224 - S. FRANCESCO DASSISI
IL CANTICO DELLE CREATURE
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Praised be You, my Lordfor Sister Water, so
very useful, and humble and precious, and
chaste. 1224 - CANTICLE OF
CREATURESprayer by St. FRANCIS OF ASSISI