This section is from the book "The Home Cyclopedia Of General Information", by Charles Morris. Also available from Amazon: Home Cyclopedia of Necessary Knowledge.
[L. cisterna ; from cista, box, chest.] Receptacles for water. They are generally square or round in shape, and are commonly lined with lead. Soft water acts upon lead, dissolving it and forming carbonate of lead, which is a poisonous substance. It is the bright; clean lead which is affected. After the lead has become dull, or crusted over, the water can no longer dissolve it.
 
Continue to: