LA GESTION DE L’EAU A TIMGAD DE LA SOURCE AUX THERMES ANTIQUES

Abstract

Timgad ancient Thamugadi, is located in the plain at the foot of the Aures Mountains, 35 km to the east of the city of Batna. Colony founded by order of Trajan in the year 100 AD by the Third Augusta legion. City famous for its urban planning and architecture.

Water supply remains a major concern that a city must resolve to enable its survival and expansion. Water supply systems and drainage of Timgad are remarkable. The revetment of the streets still keeps traces of a water supply system and there is an underground networks rainwater and wastewater. Water was valuable, the Elders used to take it from the phreatic layer and exploited from springs far from the city and from surrounding wadis, or they just collected rainwater. These waters were collected and stored in basins and tanks, to be redistributed to different pipes according to the intended use. Water was distributed through three networks: the first was for public fountains, the second to the baths and the last for rich mansions. Major water consumers, the baths were often the source of supply of water.