The Roman Aqueduct An example of the Roman ability to turn necessity into practical reality was the development of the aqueduct (from the Latin ducere, meaning, "to lead," and aqua, meaning "water"). Aqueducts were designed to bring fresh water from springs into the city for public use. Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct, which brought fresh water to the city from 30 miles away. Pont du Gard is located in Nimes in the south of France. Between 20 and 16 B.C. Marcus Agrippa (a friend and advisor to the Emperor Augustus) commissioned an aqueduct system to bring water to Nimes from natural springs some 30 miles away. Much of the