Acqua gratis - why you should never pay for a bottle of water in Rome.

Throughout Rome there are hundreds if not thousands of public drinking fountains like the one pictured to the left.  These are literally an institution in Rome.  The water comes from Roman acqueducts.  The Trevi Fountain itself is the final presentation of the delivery of water from the Acqua Vergine.

The water in the fountains is perfectly drinkable.    So, if you already have a bottle all you have to do on a hot day is fill it up.  Don't wasted a US$4 buying a bottle of filtered Dasani.  (On the other hand, I love naturally effervescent water.  That's worth it.).

For the accidental tourist to Rome, I have created a photo manual of how you can drink from the fountains even if you don't have a bottle to fill up. Nearly every fountain has a small hole in the top of the spout.  If you block the pipe with the palm of your hand, water will shoot out the top in an arc.  Here's how it works:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1:  The fountain below is a fancy one in the Villa Borghese shaped like a wolf's head.  I'm plugging the spout with my fingers and the finest water in Rome is spouting from the top.  If you are wondering why it has a wolf's head, you should read up on the founding sons of Rome, Romulus and Remus.

Step 2:  Have a drink just like me below.  Trust me.  You won't die.  Regular Romans do this every day.

Step 3:  Don't drink too much because you'll have trouble finding a public toilet.  But otherwise, you can always pee on the street.  Trust me. You won't be arrested.  Regular Romans do this every day.  (Picture omitted.)

Comments

[Yvonne]

I was speaking with one of my young employees about getting an Econ degree, which led me to curiosity about what you were up to. What a surprise to find you're now living in Rome, albeit temporary. We're going in September, so please keep up postings of the great restaurants and we may follow in your footsteps. Will you still be in Rome in late Sept? If so, perhaps we'll be able to meet for 'un caffe'. I haven't seen you since you were about...what...8? Just in case you don't remember me, I'm your cousins' (David & Jeanette)mother. Congratulations on choosing an interesting life for yourself!

[Yvonne]

I was speaking with one of my young employees about getting an Econ degree, which led me to curiosity about what you were up to. What a surprise to find you're now living in Rome, albeit temporary. We're going in September, so please keep up postings of the great restaurants and we may follow in your footsteps. Will you still be in Rome in late Sept? If so, perhaps we'll be able to meet for 'un caffe'. I haven't seen you since you were about...what...8? Just in case you don't remember me, I'm your cousins' (David & Jeanette)mother. Congratulations on choosing an interesting life for yourself!

[Mister Dog Ice Cream]

Mister Dog Ice Cream needs assistance. The communist cucumbers sent canine swat teams to murder me.

[Sara]

Good words.