In the central region of Portugal, specifically within the municipality of Viseu, two distinct localities showcase the historical evolution of public water infrastructure: Gumiei in the parish of Ribafeita and Orgens. These sites illustrate a shift from traditional communal gathering points to modernized systems driven by public health concerns.
Gumiei is characterized by a small stream flowing north to south towards the Troço River, which eventually feeds into the Vouga. In the village center, at Largo da Fonte, this water emerges through two "chafurdo" or dipping fountains. The oldest of these, constructed in masonry, bears an inscription dated 1601, placing its origin during the Philippine Dynasty and featuring the Portuguese coat of arms. A second dipping fountain was inaugurated in the same square in 1895. These structures were designed for women to fill clay jugs by submerging them into a small tank formed by the water flow. The 1895 addition included a trough for animals, reflecting the agricultural nature of the region.
A third fountain was introduced in Gumiei in 1931, marking a significant departure from previous designs. This structure featured a tap rather than an open tank, a change driven by hygiene concerns. Unlike the stagnant water of dipping fountains which posed health risks, the tap provided running water. Despite this modernization, the practice of women carrying jugs to public sources remained common as household plumbing was not yet widespread.
In the parish of Orgens, similar issues regarding sanitation led to a broader transformation. Traditional dipping fountains were associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as typhoid fever and cholera. Consequently, starting in 1930, new fountains were constructed throughout the parish, including the Fonte do Costa, Fonte de São Martinho, and the Fonte do Leão, which features a lion's head spout. These structures represented the aesthetic and functional models promoted during the Estado Novo period.
By the 1960s, municipal policy expanded to install fountains in nearly every village, adopting a more practical and stripped-down aesthetic. While household water supply remained limited to a minority, these public sources served as essential community hubs. Today, many of these historic fountains display signs indicating "água não controlada" (uncontrolled water). This designation warns that the water, sourced from natural springs in mountainous areas rather than municipal services, lacks official health monitoring by bodies such as the Ricardo Jorge Institute.
Sources: Observador.