ABSTRACT
Waterworks were among the first and technically most demanding mechanical and civil engineering projects. The earliest ones were for irrigation: water was lifted into canals either by manual devices like the Egyptian 'shaduf, or by mechanical ones such as the Persian 'saquieh' or waterwheel. Ancient Rome, however, was one of a number of contemporary cities with a public water supply. Until the nineteenth century Portsmouth obtained fresh water from springs on Portsea Island, either within the town walls, or in the adjacent common fields. Existing supplies were maintained by keeping wells and pumps in good repair and by regulating the water carters' prices. While all had access to the common pumps, some people were neither willing nor able to collect their water themselves. With the Water Company catering for only a small percentage of the market, the town's water supply had to be supplemented by sources on Portsea Island.
