The Roman aqueduct system was one of the greatest of the Roman engineering feats. Every city in the Empire needed an adequate water supply, if nature did not provide local sources than Roman engineers used aqueducts to solve the problem. The Segovia Aqueduct still suppled water to the city in the 19th century.
The Pont du Gard in France is an excellent example of the skills of the Roman engineers.
A multi-tiered system guaranteed that water would flow to the most vital aspects of a city's water system first (drinking, bathing, toilets). The upper tier was for less necessary water usage (private homes, gardens etc.). In time of drought the water was diverted from the upper tiers to only the lower until the crisis abated.
Rome itself was served by seven great aqueducts. Each serviced the needs of the cities million inhabitants. The great baths, public fountains, toilets, and sewers all relied on the millions of gallons of fresh water the aqueducts brought to the city every day.
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