Page 21 - Urban water supply handbook

URBAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

1.20 HISTORY, PLANNING, OUTSOURCING

illustration of the geology of the area. The geology of the site, with the earlier and
later limestone layers above the clay, created an abundance of water. The Arethusa
spring, located at the edge of the sea (refer to Fig. 1.15), was the first settlement on
Ortygia (Crouch, 1993). The water supply came from many surface and subsurface
openings in the limestone, particularly where the limestone lay above impermeable
strata such as marl. The series of grottoes above the Greek theater (see Fig. 1.16) was
probably a major factor in the development of Syracuse, because the early Greeks
found water flowing here. After a time, possibly a couple of centuries, water found a
new path further downhill. Because of this and an increased demand for water (by the
increased population), new supplies to this downhill location were developed, using
the same outlets. These were the Galermi and Ninfeo aqueducts (routes are shown in
Figs. 1.14 and 1.15). Figure 1.16 shows the Greek theater with the grotto formations
in the background. Figure 1.17a and b shows the outlet of these two aqueducts inside
the grotto formation, and Fig. 1.18 shows the aqueduct above the grottoes.
The Romans conquered Sicily in the late third century creating an early Greco-
Roman society. During the Roman period new water system elements were added
to compensate for old elements going out of use and to supply water for bath-gym-
nasiums and other uses for an increased population (Crouch, 1993). The grottoes
and underground tunnels became tomb sites as early as the last century B.C., after
centuries of use as water lines. By the second or third century, the water systems
began to deteriorate because of little or no maintenance.

FIGURE 1.16 Greek theater in Syracuse showing the grotto formation in the background. Early
Greeks found water flowing from the grottoes. (Photo by Larry W. Mays and copyright by Larry
W. Mays)

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