The evidence provided by the sources from The evidence provided by the sources from Pompeii and Herculaneum for Everyday life: Pompeii and Herculaneum for Everyday life:

Water supply and sanitation.Water supply and sanitation.

1. Distribution of the Water

2. Water access points

3. Drainage and Sewage

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Nicholas WrayNicholas Wray

Distribution of the Water.Distribution of the Water.

Many houses in Pompeii had a reliable source of running water. The water was supplied from the Aqueduct which supplied the city with water as the water came down form the springs in the Apennine mountains and went into water storage tanks around the city where then they were distributed through Pompeii through lead pipes. In Herculaneum it was the same kind of distribution to Pompeii but in a different layout because of the cities population and location.

Aqueducts of Pompeii and Aqueducts of Pompeii and HerculaneumHerculaneum

Water TowersWater TowersWater distribution in Water distribution in

Herculaneum Herculaneum Map of Water Distribution in PompeiiMap of Water Distribution in Pompeii

Drainage and SewageDrainage and SewageThroughout Pompeii and Herculaneum there were drains to carry the water after it had been used, Sewers had also been built in the two cities so anything which went down the drain would end up there. Both cities had guttering and drains and toilets available for the public and private use. The drainage and sewage did however vary in Herculaneum as Herculaneum was on the ocean and had easier access to water. Both towns had guttering and public toilets provided and lead pipes distributing used water from the drains or gutters however the towns similarities are different when it comes to their sewage systems.

Lead pipes in Lead pipes in Pompeii Pompeii Toilets in PompeiiToilets in Pompeii Drainage and sewage in Drainage and sewage in

HerculaneumHerculaneumDrainage and guttering in Drainage and guttering in

PompeiiPompeii

Water Access pointsWater Access points

After the water was distributed there were various points for the water to be accessed from for the general public these locations included the public fountains and wells which was the main source of water access for them, Public baths which was a strong user of the towns water supply and for more wealthier people they had their own water access points as displayed in the House of the Vettii and the House of Octavius Quartio.

Public FountainsPublic Fountains Public BathsPublic Baths House of VettiHouse of Vetti SpringsSprings

Aqueduct of Pompeii Aqueduct of Pompeii

and Herculaneum.and Herculaneum.

In Pompeii the water flowed from the aqueduct into a brick holding tank which In Pompeii the water flowed from the aqueduct into a brick holding tank which was named the Castellum Aquae which was built on one of the highest points was named the Castellum Aquae which was built on one of the highest points in the town. From the castellum, water was gravity fed through the 3 large in the town. From the castellum, water was gravity fed through the 3 large pipes to different parts of the town.pipes to different parts of the town.

Water TowersWater Towers• There are many water towers (or water castles) throughout Pompeii and Herculaneum. These

towers are used to collect, store and dispersed rainwater .

• There were approximately 12 in Pompeii which stood at 6 meters tall and had a lead tank on the top with lead pipes running in and out of the water tower.

• At the time of the eruption the waterworks in Pompeii and Herculaneum were being repaired possibly being damaged by the earthquakes in the months before.

SpringsSprings

• Following the completion of the Augustan Aqueduct both Pompeii and Herculaneum gained access with the water supplied from the springs of Acquaro located some 26 kilometers away.

Lead PipesLead Pipes

• After the distribution of water in Pompeii the water was redistributed through lead pipes. The water was distributed through three large lead mains which ran under the footpath which branched off the main lines. Then smaller pipes fed the water into other distribution structures in the shape of pillars which were usually constructed near the cross roads.

Public BathsPublic Baths• Public baths where a large party of day to

day life in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The baths contributed much to the cleanliness of the population which was provides with the copious water from the aqueduct. Many of the Baths in the cities were a form of political propaganda as they were built by politicians for the public and some were for private use. In the Public baths hot and cold water was supplied and this was done by the water coming in from the reservoir and then separated into three frigidariums which were Hot , Cold, and Tepid. For some of the residents on Pompeii and Herculaneum visiting the Baths became a daily occurrence.

Public FountainsPublic Fountains

- Public fountains were one of the most important features of the street scene in Pompeii.

- Although only the wealthiest residents of Pompeii had access to water sources in their houses, the rest of the population of the relied on the public fountains to gain access to their water supply.

- So far 42 public fountains have been excavated.

As pictured a tourist observing a Fountain in Pompeii as it is a major tourist destination today

Toilets in Pompeii and Toilets in Pompeii and Herculaneum Herculaneum

• Toilets or also known as Latrines were a wooden seat with a whole in it over a pit.

• However for more wealthier homes piped water flushed the pit.

• In some buildings residents would of shared the same latrines as it is evident in the houses of Painted Capitals in Pompeii and the House of Stags is Herculaneum .

• There were also public Latrines situated in both Pompeii and Herculaneum Credit: Brennan and LazerCredit: Brennan and Lazer

House of Vettii and House of Octavius Quartio.

• While most upper-class houses in Pompeii and Herculaneum. had a fountain to supply their own water there were more wealthier houses which had much more.

• -The House of Vettii consisted of 14 interconnected fountains in the peristyle.

• - The House of Octavius Quartio (also known as the House of Loreio Tiburtino) featured vast waterworks in the house including spouting jets, gushing waterfalls, channels, pool, and a nymphaeum (monumental fountain dedicated to the nymphs with niches in the form of grotto)

Credit to BradleyCredit to Bradley

Water Distribution in Herculaneum

• Water distribution was very similar to its larger neighbor Pompii but catered to a smaller population.

• Public fountains were evident in Herculaneum as 3 were excavated.

• Herculaneum had Suburban baths which were financed by Macas Nonius Balbus it is described as (an elegant and graceful complex which would not have been out of place among the magnificent buildings of room) Source: Bradley

Drainage and Sewage in Herculaneum

• Unlike its larger neighboring city Herculaneum had a working sewage system and the drainage and sewage was an easier process as it was on the ocean and had easier methods as it was on sea level and Pompeii was on an elevation.

Drainage and Guttering in Pompeii• Pompeii was known for its

fashioning gutters which lead to private houses.

• Many houses in Pompeii featured anatrium and open-roof design as the rain came down the tiles it ran into a rainwater tank.

• For a while Pompeii had no sewage system as the guttering was the sewage line as waste and used water were just thrown in the gutter.

Map of Water distribution in Pompeii

• This source is a map This source is a map which presents which presents Pompeii's water Pompeii's water system at the time of system at the time of 79AD. It presents how 79AD. It presents how there were either there were either water castles or water castles or distribution towers on distribution towers on almost each city block almost each city block which presents how which presents how vast Pompeii's vast Pompeii's distribution of water distribution of water was to its residents. It was to its residents. It presents the main presents the main water line constructed water line constructed though the main though the main district of Pompeii as it district of Pompeii as it is close to Baths and is close to Baths and fountains the 2 factors fountains the 2 factors which requires water which requires water supply continuously. supply continuously.

Map Source: Roman Water Supply Handbook by Larry W. Mays