California's Garden Fountain Study and Results
California's Garden Fountain Study and Results In February 2014, a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages was enacted in Berkley, CA, making it the first city in the United States to bring in such a regulation. By taxing sugary drinks, the city hopes to inspire a lot more people to choose healthier options, such as water. Efforts were made to find out the state of community drinking water fountains in both high- and low-income neighborhoods. The research utilized a GPS app to compile data on present water fountains in the city. Analysts then used US Census data to find out more about the economic and racial factors that influenced the city. Comparisons were made between the location and demographic data, disclosing whether class differences affected access to clean, working water fountains. The study was able to establish the demographics of areas with water fountains, also noting whether the state of the fountains was greater or worse in lower class neighborhoods. The fact that the fountains were operating was not a guarantee that they were well-maintained, since quite a few were in need of maintenance and repair.The Genesis Of Outdoor Fountains
The Genesis Of Outdoor Fountains A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also launch water high into the air for an extraordinary effect.The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Troubles
Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Troubles With the development of the 1st elevated aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Anio Vetus in 273 BC, people who lived on the city’s hillsides no longer had to rely strictly on naturally-occurring spring water for their demands. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the lone technologies available at the time to supply water to areas of high elevation. Starting in the sixteenth century, a newer program was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean sections to provide water to Pincian Hill. Pozzi, or manholes, were constructed at standard intervals along the aqueduct’s channel. Though they were initially designed to make it possible to service the aqueduct, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi started using the manholes to collect water from the channel, opening when he acquired the property in 1543. Even though the cardinal also had a cistern to get rainwater, it couldn't supply sufficient water. To give himself with a much more streamlined system to obtain water, he had one of the manholes opened up, offering him access to the aqueduct below his residence.