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 Summary 

 Mishna: 

The mitzvah of Nisuch Hamayim was as follows: They would fill a gold pitcher with 3 lug of water from the Shiloach.

When they arrived at Shaar Hamayim they would blast tekiah, teruah, tekiah (a sign of simcha). 

The kohen would ascend the kevesh and turn to his left (usually they would only turn right) where there were two silver basins set into the top of the mizbeach. 

Rabbi Yehuda: Actually they were made of lime but blackened by the wine.

The basins were perforated like two thin nostrils (According to Rashi they flowed from the basins onto the mizbeach where the “nostrils” were. According to Tosfos the “nostrils” were inside the basins). One hole was thicker, and one was thinner, so that the wine [of Nisuch Hayayin] and water would drain at the same time. 

The western bowl was for the water, and the eastern bowl was for the wine.

If the water was poured into the wine basin, or vice versa, it is okay.

 Rabbi Yehuda: All eight days (the Tanna Kamma only discusses the seven days of sukkos) 1 lug is poured.

They would tell the kohen who was pouring “pick up your hand” so that they can see him pouring. [This is because some kohanim would show disdain to the mitzvah by pouring the water over their feet]. It once happened that someone [this refers to Yannai, the Hasmonean/Saducee king who instigated a massacre at that time] poured the water over his feet and the multitude pelted him with their esrogim.