Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct near Nîmes, France.
aqueduct, Conduit built to carry water from its source to a main distribution point. Ancient Rome’s aqueduct system, an extraordinary feat of engineering, brought water to the city from as far as 92 km (57 mi) away. Only a portion of the Roman aqueducts utilized the familiar stone arch; most were underground conduits made of stone or terra-cotta pipe. Historically, aqueducts helped keep drinking water free of human waste and other contamination and thus greatly improved public health in cities with primitive sewerage systems. Modern aqueduct systems can be composed of pipes, canals, ditches, and tunnels and frequently employ concrete, cast iron, or steel. See also water supply system.