aquaduct

An aquaduct, often spelled aqueduct, is a water conduit designed to transport water from a source to a destination, usually by gravity. The word comes from Latin aqua, water, and ducere, to lead. Aquaducts have historically supplied cities with drinking water and supported agricultural irrigation, enabling urban growth in arid or distant regions.

Design and construction: They may be open channels, covered conduits, or pipelines. Open-channel aquaducts carry water in exposed gutters or troughs and are often elevated on arches or support structures. Enclosed aquaducts protect water from contamination and evaporation. The route is laid with a slight downward gradient to maintain flow; some systems use siphons to cross valleys. Materials include stone, brick, concrete, and metal pipes. Modern installations may use reinforced concrete, steel, or composites, and may be gravity-fed or involve pumping stations when required.

History and distribution: The most famous aquaducts come from ancient Rome, where extensive networks carried water from distant springs into cities at high elevations, using arches to cross terrain. Other ancient systems appeared in the Near East and the Indus Valley. In the modern era, cities around the world have built large-scale aquaducts and pipelines to supply growing populations, often combining gravity-fed sections with pumping stations and treatment facilities.

Engineering and management: Aquaducts require careful design to maintain water quality, minimize losses, and regulate flow. Maintenance involves cleaning channels, repairing joints, and protecting against seepage. Environmental and legal concerns, such as watershed protection and water rights, influence aquaduct planning and operation.