The Acueducto de Pinula began in what is today El Cambray treatment plant. The arches of the aqueducts were constructed of bricks and cement, and water was distributed to the public through subterranean networks constructed of baked clay and bricks. The principal structure was approximately 30 meters wide by 15 meters tall and 5 kilometers in length, but the distribution network spanned over 20 kilometers. The total capacity of the system was approximately 2000 cubic meters.
Construction of the aqueduct was completed in 1786. The Acueducto de Pinula was used to distribute water from the Rio Pinula for over 150 years until it was replaced with more modern systems in 1938. Although parts of the aqueduct have been destroyed (especially by earthquakes in 1917 and 1918), the Guatemalan Ministry of Culture passed regulation in 1986 to help preserve and protect the aqueducts.
Sources:
1. Martínez G and T Cabrera. 1999. “El Montículo de la Culebra: Monumento fachada de la arqueología del valle de Guatemala.” In: XII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, edited by JP Laporte and HL Escobedo. Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología, Guatemala.
2. Municipalidad de la Ciudad de Guatemala. 2014. Historia de la Empresa Municipal de Agua – EMPAGUA: El camino de agua no se detiene.
3. Urrutia C. 2011. "Acueducto de Pinula." Historia de la Ciudad de Guatemala.