In the second half of the 1800s, the city of Sassari appeared to be expanding in population but lacking in water. The only supplies, in fact, came from the Rosello and Conce fountains, with distribution in the city using donkeys. Due to this untenable situation, caused by diseases related to the poor hygienic conditions of the water, the Municipal Administration decided to provide Sassari with a large aqueduct capable of meeting the needs of an ever-expanding city. Thus it was that on August 5, 1880, after six years of planning and construction operated by the Fumagalli firm, the New Sassari Aqueduct was inaugurated. Unfortunately, early on it was noticed that the water from the springs and the Bunnari reservoir was unhealthy, and it came to the city piped through an underground tunnel. Problems related to the potability of water lingered for more than 20 years. The Sassari Aqueduct, after a brief period of use for irrigation purposes, was completely supplanted by the new city plant built only after the war.
