located in praça cardeal câmara,  in the lapa neighborhood, this construction is a classic example of colonial architecture and engineering.

in the beginning of the 18th century, one of the major problems faced by the urbanization of rio was the constant lack of fresh water - in fact, water had to be physically carried from the carioca river to the center of town. this was originally done by indigenous people, who would sell the water, and later the task was performed by slaves.

while the area occupied by the city is rich of streams and rivers, the water of the carioca river was determined to be the purest for human consumption, both by the Portuguese colonists and by the indigenous population, who claimed women who used the river's water were 'more beautiful'.