Transcript Gli acquedotti e le torri piezometriche

Where does
tap water
come from?
Modern waterworks and water
towers
We don’t all have ... a tap!
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.
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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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.)
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
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 River’s 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
Terminus fountain of
Peschiera-Capore Aqueduct
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 Garibaldi’s
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.
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.
Pia Acqua Marcia aqueduct’s
terminus fountain
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
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.
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.
• It’s fed by Acqua Vergine springs.
• The terminus Fountain is in Piazza del Popolo on the side
of Pincio.
New High Vergine Aqueduct’s
terminus fountain
Trevi Fountain – Acqua Vergine
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.
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.
Map of Rome’s aqueducts
The typical “nasone” in Rome
Conclusion
• Rome’s 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.
“Laudato si’, mi ‘Signore, per
sor’acqua, la quale è multo utile et
humile et pretiosa et casta”.
1224 - S. FRANCESCO D’ASSISI
“IL CANTICO DELLE CREATURE”
“Praised be You, my Lord
for Sister Water, so very useful,
and humble and precious, and
chaste”.
1224 - “CANTICLE OF CREATURES”
prayer by St. FRANCIS OF ASSISI