- Capacity: Roman cisterns were created to hold large volumes of water and could range in size from small, household-cisterns to vast civic cisterns capable of holding thousands of liters.
- Design: They were designed to collect rainwater and store it for later use. Most Roman cisterns were underground and had a vaulted ceiling supported by columns or arches.
- Waterproofing: Cisterns were typically lined with waterproofing material such as lime plaster, clay, or hydraulic mortar to prevent seepage.
- Water supply: Cisterns were fed by aqueducts, which brought fresh water from outside sources to the city or town. They also served as crucial backup sources of water during droughts, sieges, or other emergencies.
- Access: Many cisterns had access points on top, or a staircase to allow people to enter and inspect the structure, and clean the cisterns.
- Filters: Cisterns were equipped with filters to separate sediment from the collected water.
- Distribution: In some cases, water from cisterns was distributed via pipes to public fountains, baths or houses.
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