Sustainability of Underground Hydro-Technologies: From Ancient to Modern Times and toward the Future

Abstract

An underground aqueduct is usually a canal built in the subsurface to transfer water from a starting point to a distant location. Systems of underground aqueducts have been applied by ancient civilizations to manage different aspects of water supply. This research reviews underground aqueducts from the prehistoric period to modern times to assess the potential of achieving sustainable development of water distribution in the sectors of agriculture and urban management, and provides valuable insights into various types of ancient underground systems and tunnels. The review illustrates how these old structures are a testament of ancient people’s ability to manage water resources using sustainable tools such as aqueducts, where the functionality works by using, besides gravity, only “natural” engineering tools like inverted siphons. The study sheds new light on human’s capability to collect and use water in the past. In addition, it critically analyzes numerous examples of ancient/historic/pre-industrial underground water supply systems that appear to have remained sustainable up until recent times. The sustainability of several underground structures is examined, correlated to their sound construction and regular maintenance. Moreover, several lessons can be learned from the analysis of ancient hydraulic works, particularly now, as many periodically hydrologic crises have occurred recently, overwhelmingly impacted by climate change and/or over-exploitation and degradation of available water resources.

Geological Uniqueness and Potential Geotouristic Appeal of Murge and Premurge, the First Territory in Puglia (Southern Italy) Aspiring to Become a UNESCO Global Geopark

“…Other panoramic points are from the stadium parking [42,109]. .58 E Presence of water in karst areas has always been a serious problem for the local communities: the peculiar aspects of karst hydrogeology [110][111][112], with most of the water being rapidly drained underground, to create the complex subterranean network of conduits and caves, caused past inhabitants to face seriously the issue of looking for water, and preserving it during the summer season [113][114][115]. For these reasons, evidence of historical management of water resources is of extreme importance and represents a remarkable heritage to preserve.…”

Evolution of Water Technologies and Corresponding Philosophy and Sciences Focusing on the Hellenic World through the Millennia

“…The history of Alexandria began with its founding by Alexander the Great in 331 BC [58,59]. After conquering Egypt, Alexander trusted one of his generals, Ptolemy Lagus, with the task of completing the founding of Alexandria.…”

Desalination: From Ancient to Present and Future

“…He stated that in the case of fresh water scarcity at sea, seamen boil the seawater in a brazen vessel and close the mouth of the vessel with a sponge to collect what is evaporated. Then they drink fresh water from squeezing the sponge [47][48][49][50][51][52].…”