Mérida in Spain showcases robust Roman water infrastructure
In the Spanish city of Mérida, a remarkable testament to Roman water infrastructure dominates the landscape. But the eyecatching aqueduct of Miracles is just the tip of the iceberg. An impressive network of aqueducts lies underground. The Rabo de Buey–San Lázaro aqueduct was built nearly 2000 years ago to supply the Roman city of Emerita Augusta with fresh drinking water. The aqueduct was fed by long underground water channels that brought fresh water into the city. To this day, water still flows through these remarkably durable channels.
The aqueducts were part of an elaborate hydraulic network designed to provide drinking water to the Roman provincial capital in Extremadura. Archaeologist Santiago Feijóo from the Consorcio de la Ciudad Monumental de Mérida, says the distance covered by the underground aqueducts bringing water to Mérida is 75 kilometers. “The aqueducts draw water from more than fifteen springs, with the closest one being 4 kilometers from the city. Today we know most of the water springs, although some still remain to be discovered.” According to Feijóo, who conducted an extensive study on Roman water works in the past, Mérida had the largest water infrastructure in ancient Hispania.
Robust water supply
The water channels were so long because the Romans sourced their drinking water from springs with high-quality water. At the time, there were no water treatment facilities. These aqueducts run underground to protect the water from external influences and to keep it cool and clean. In Mérida, the water entered the city via four different supply systems so that if one system was damaged, water would still keep flowing into the city,” explains Feijóo.
No leakages
Even today, the aqueduct is a symbol of durability. The scale of the original system and the quality of its construction remind us that the Romans already invested in robust water infrastructure. The underground channels are less vulnerable to leakages. Although the water from the channels still appears clean, it is unfortunately contaminated with pesticides. That is why it is currently used for irrigation.
Longevity
Across Europe, water utilities are contending with aging infrastructure. The Roman approach offers lessons for today. The principle of building for centuries, not decades, remains relevant. It is an enduring example of water infrastructure designed to last – a standard against which the longevity and sustainability of 21st-century systems might be measured.
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