Water Delivery Strategies in Early Rome
Water Delivery Strategies in Early Rome Previous to 273, when the very first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was established in Rome, citizens who dwelled on hills had to travel further down to get their water from natural sources. If residents living at higher elevations did not have accessibility to springs or the aqueduct, they’d have to rely on the other existing techniques of the time, cisterns that gathered rainwater from the sky and subterranean wells that drew the water from under ground. In the very early 16th century, the city began to use the water that ran below ground through Acqua Vergine to provide water to Pincian Hill. Pozzi, or manholes, were constructed at regular stretches along the aqueduct’s channel. Whilst these manholes were manufactured to make it much easier to sustain the aqueduct, it was also feasible to use buckets to pull water from the channel, which was exercised by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he purchased the property in 1543 to his death in 1552. He didn’t get a sufficient quantity of water from the cistern that he had constructed on his property to obtain rainwater. To provide himself with a much more efficient way to gather water, he had one of the manholes exposed, giving him access to the aqueduct below his residence.Keep Your Fountain Tidy
Keep Your Fountain Tidy Proper care and regular maintenance are important to the longevity of water fountains. A typical issue with fountains is that they tend to gather dirt and debris, so it is essential that you keep it free from this. On top of that, algae can be a challenge, as sun hitting the water permits it to form easily. Mix hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular problem. Some people opt for adding bleach into the water, but the drawback is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided. A complete cleaning every three-four months is recommended for garden fountains. Before you can start cleaning it you need to drain out all of the water.
As soon as it is empty, wash inside the reservoir with a mild cleanser. A helpful tip is to use a toothbrush if there are small hard-to-reach spots. Make sure all the soap is totally cleaned off.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and remove any plankton or calcium. Soaking it in vinegar for a while will make it easier to clean. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will collect inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is low. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!