Lead was an acceptable material for Roman water supply systems

This study analyzed the impact of lead pipes on livelihood security in Roman cities. A pressure test was conducted on a lead pipe excavated in the Roman town of Salona (Croatia), and its results are presented and analyzed. These pipes could withstand internal water pressures of up to four bar, which was four times higher than the working pressure in the Roman water delivery system. This strength was necessary owing to the load on the pipe during installation and use. The results indicate that Roman lead pipes are safe and reliable and provide appropriate leak tightness in Roman water pressure systems. This is attributed to the open and low-pressure natural concept of water supply, in which water constantly flows through a pipe system and has serpentine paths similar to rivers. However, lead negatively affects human health and the environment during production and processing, as well as soil and water during disposal and installation. Roman lead pipes could have very slightly increased the lead levels in tap water. However, the effect was unlikely to have been truly harmful owing to the constant and rapid exchange of water in the pipe network.