The water supply of Athens through the centuries

Over its long history, Athens has never had sufficient water resources and the water supply of the city has been an endless and ambitious challenge. Several hydraulic works of various scales and types (from simple wells and cisterns to large aqueducts) have been constructed during this long period. These works helped Athenians to cope with water scarcity. The evolution, through the centuries, of water supply works and water management practices in the city of Athens, is revisited, focusing on the sustainability of ancient works (aqueducts that were in use until the 20th century), and the relationship of the water technology with socio-economical characteristics during history. The management of the contemporary water supply system, one of the most extensive and complex water supply systems in the world, is also studied.