Where does the history of sewage systems begin?
Of course, you may already know, but in nearly 7,000 years of human civilization, a significant portion that remains disconnected from human and civilized development, is an immensely long journey of improvement. The first sewage system, no more, no less, existed about 3,000 years before our era. An ancient sewage system, constructed with bricks, has been discovered in the territory of present-day Pakistan. Channels carved from stone formed this sewage system. The area also reveals a special settlement of Harappa specifically designed for the disposal of waste, directly connected to the sewage system underground.
Similar systems existed in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece.
The establishment of the first sewage system.
With the development of civilizations and the formation of large cities, it was necessary to have a system that would ensure the protection of hygiene. This is how sewage became a constant companion of civilizations. Collecting records of the first sewers in various civilizations leads to primitive systems. In almost all cases it was a simple, underground system of pipes connected to the river. Among many other reasons, this explains the presence of large cities near rivers.
We should always consider the past when it comes to sewage systems. In our early history, much like sewage, a significant portion of societal infrastructures remained undeveloped.
Do you know that a famous saying—money doesn't grow on trees—is actually rooted in ancient times and directly relates to public taxes and their imposition by the emperor on societal public services? There existed such 144 public services that were not funded by taxes but rather by aqueducts.
The improvement of sewage systems alongside urban development began to be a concern from ancient times, and some of those systems continued to be used even until the 19th century. Comparative analyses of excavated findings remind us of forgotten milestones until the era of enlightenment.
Generally, from the 16th century onwards, a shortened timeframe saw the creation, development, and transformation of organized waste disposal facilities.
The ecological alternative of sewer systems
Nowadays, several types of sewer systems exist, which have been developed alongside technological advancements. This isn't merely a matter of city life but also represents an ecological alternative to sewer systems—underground water purification systems and bioremediation.
