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The Effects of Lead Piping on Roman Aqueducts

Roman aqueducts spanned the countryside of the Roman Empire. By maintaining a steady decline from the water source and using other methods of engineering, an aqueduct could transport fresh water to towns and cities many miles away. Water traveled through pipes within the frame of the aqueduct. Although some pipes were built of stone or clay, others had lead lining, causing many problems for the people using the water.

  1. Where Lead Came From

    • When mining silver, one byproduct is lead sulfide. The Romans learned to smelt this to obtain lead. To the Romans, lead must have seemed a terrific material because furnaces didn't have to reach extreme temperatures to melt it and, once softened, the metal was easy to work with. The lead could even be formed into sheets that could then be rolled into tubes or pipes.

    Reasoning for Lead Pipes

    • Lead easily gets into water if it stays in contact with the lead for very long. The Romans used lead pipes in siphons to move water out of valleys and for distribution in the cities. Although Romans knew lead caused health problems, they may have hoped the water moved rapidly enough through the portions of lead pipe that it wouldn't be contaminated by the lead. They may also have hoped the deposits from the calcium carbonate in the water would coat the pipes and add a layer of protection from the lead.

    Problems with Lead

    • Lead poisoning can occur from handling, ingesting or even breathing lead. Exposure to lead can lead to developmental problems in children, memory problems in adults, weakness, miscarriage and infertility. The Romans knew lead caused health problems, but still used it as a cosmetic and as a form of birth control or for abortion.

    The Pipes May Not Have Been the Problem

    • If Romans experienced lead poisoning, the pipes may not have been the cause. They were also exposed to lead in the wine they drank. In wine making, the juices of the grape and other fruits were boiled down to raise the sugar level. The problem of boiling in copper pots was the reaction of the fruits' acid with the copper, giving an off flavor to the wine, so lead pots were used instead. As Romans drank several cups of wine daily, the lead pots for wine making may have contributed more to lead poisoning than the pipes in the aqueducts.

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