| The Ancient
Springs of Castiadas
The region of
Castiadas is typified by many watercourses, principal among which
are the Rio Zarpixedda, Rio Corre Pruna, Rio Buddui, Rio Frumini
Cerau and Rio S’Acqua Callenti, rising up at the foot of
the mountains and state forests of Minni Minni, S’Acqua
Callenti and Buddui. It is not always possible to see them full
because, for many years, the entire island has suffered from  drought
like never before, creating considerable problems for the farming
community. Even in the rainy season the watercourses of the area
are not usually replete, except for very intense, short downpours.
The sudden changes in water level, drops, mini-waterfalls, natural
pools and the granitic land over which they flow, often create
a strong current.
For nature lovers and enthusiasts of it is possible these days
to collect water directly from many springs. We note the most
important and easily accessible:
- “Sa Mitza de sa Teula” spring
is situated in the Sarmentus area and is accessible from the old
road which linked San Pietro with Minni Minni, running over an
old mule-track built by prisoners from the penal colony. In the
sixties it was built round with walls to avoid direct contact
with thewildlife. Checks were carried out to assess its drinkability,
with excellent results.
- “Su Stauli Mannu” spring is situated
in the Centrale area and is accessible via the old street to the
east side of the penal colony. Passing along a former mule-track
built by the prisoners, we arrive at the spring, which was used
by the entire penal colony to satisfy everybody’s needs.
Moreover, in the ‘30s they built a storage tank to use it
for agricultural purposes. Results of tests to establish the drinkableness
of the water proved more than conclusively in its favour.
- “S’Acqua Callenti”
spring is situated in the S’Acqua Callenti area.
It is reachable by taking first a local road, then a forest track.
In the 90s this spring was linked up to the valley by workmen
from the Forestry Commission, with a network of underground pipes.
Today it supplies many residents and nature-loving tourists. Checks
carried out to judge if the water was fit to drink produced very
positive results.
 -
“Buddui” spring is situated in the area between
Buddui and Annunziata. It is accessible from the local road which
links Olia Speciosa and  L’Annunziata.
The council plans to completely renovate the spring shortly, with
a series of stone walls, and a path will be made to allow easy
entry. Checks were carried out to assess the water’s fitness
to drink and proved very positive.
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