<P> Aqueducts moved water through gravity alone , along a slight overall downward gradient within conduits of stone , brick , or concrete ; the steeper the gradient , the faster the flow . Most conduits were buried beneath the ground and followed the contours of the terrain ; obstructing peaks were circumvented or , less often , tunneled through . Where valleys or lowlands intervened , the conduit was carried on bridgework , or its contents fed into high - pressure lead , ceramic , or stone pipes and siphoned across . Most aqueduct systems included sedimentation tanks , which helped reduce any water - borne debris . Sluices and castella aquae ( distribution tanks ) regulated the supply to individual destinations . In cities and towns , the run - off water from aqueducts scoured the drains and sewers . </P>
<P> Aqueducts moved water through gravity alone , along a slight overall downward gradient within conduits of stone , brick , or concrete ; the steeper the gradient , the faster the flow . Most conduits were buried beneath the ground and followed the contours of the terrain ; obstructing peaks were circumvented or , less often , tunneled through . Where valleys or lowlands intervened , the conduit was carried on bridgework , or its contents fed into high - pressure lead , ceramic , or stone pipes and siphoned across . Most aqueduct systems included sedimentation tanks , which helped reduce any water - borne debris . Sluices and castella aquae ( distribution tanks ) regulated the supply to individual destinations . In cities and towns , the run - off water from aqueducts scoured the drains and sewers . </P>
what force did the romans use to move water
what force did the romans use to move water
gravity
gravity