The Aqua Augusta aqueduct system was built to provide water to Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as to at least six other ancient cities in the bay of Naples. It is one of the most complex, large and was the costliest aqueducts systems to be built. Pompeii originally received its water supply from the Sarno river, rainwater and wells, but the aqueduct was required when the population grew and their needs increased. Pipes (were made of lead, the Romans were unknowingly poisoning themselves) ran under pavements to provide running water to public baths, fountains and the homes of rich residents.
The running water from the aqueducts were an improvement on the older method of collecting water, which involved collecting rainwater in rooftop reservoirs
The running water from the aqueducts were an improvement on the older method of collecting water, which involved collecting rainwater in rooftop reservoirs