Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies through the Centuries

Most of the technological developments relevant to water supply and wastewater date back to more than to five thousand years ago. These developments were driven by the necessity to make efficient use of natural resources, to make civilizations more resistant to destructive natural elements, and to improve the standards of life, both at public and private level. 

Rapid technological progress in the 20th century created a disregard for past sanitation and wastewater and stormwater technologies that were considered to be far behind the present ones. A great deal of unresolved problems in the developing world related to wastewater management principles, such as the decentralization of the processes, the durability of the water projects, the cost-effectiveness, and sustainability issues, such as protection from floods and droughts were intensified to an unprecedented degree.

New problems have arisen such as the contamination of surface and groundwater. Naturally, intensification of unresolved problems has led to the reconsideration of successful past achievements.  This retrospective view, based on archaeological, historical, and technical evidence, has shown two things: the similarity of physicochemical and biological principles with the present ones and the advanced level of wastewater engineering and management practices.

Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies through the Centuries presents and discusses the major achievements in the scientific fields of sanitation and hygienic water use systems throughout the millennia, and compares the water technological developments in several civilizations. It provides valuable insights into ancient wastewater and stormwater management technologies with their apparent characteristics of durability, adaptability to the environment, and sustainability. These technologies are the underpinning of modern achievements in sanitary engineering and wastewater management practices. It is the best proof that “the past is the key for the future”.

This is a textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses of Water Resources, Civil Engineering, Hydraulics, Ancient History, Archaeology, Environmental Management and is also a  valuable resource for all researchers in these fields.

Sanitation and Stormwater and Wastewater Technologies in Minoan Era; Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies in Harappa/Indus Civilization (ca. 2600-1900 BC); Wastewater Management in Ancient South Asia; Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies in Egypt through the Centuries; Sanitation and Wastewater in the Central Andean Region, Peru: An overview from Pre-Columbian and Colonial Times to nowadays; History of Urban Wastewater Sanitation Technologies in Greece; Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies in Iran through the Centuries; Sanitation and Wastewater and Stormwater Management in Ancient kingdom of Makedonia, Hellas; The History of Sanitation and Wastewater Management in Cyprus; The History of Sanitation and Wastewater Management in Portugal; From Volubilis to Fez: Water Sanitation and Wastewater , Witnessed a Transfer of an International Héritage; Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies in Ancient Roman Cities; The Sanitary System in Ancient Roman Civilization: An Insight on Tunisia; Revisiting Technical and Social Aspects of Wastewater Management in Ancient Korea; Drainage and Sewage Management in Ancient Athens, Greece; Water supply and sewerage system of Diocletian's Palace in Split; The Evolution of Sanitation in the Rural Area of Southwest China: with Case of Dai Villages of Jing Hong, Yunnan Province; Evolution of Sanitation Services in Rome city's Between Urban Development and Environmental Quality; History of the sewerage system in Barcelona, Spain: From its origins to the Cerdà Plan; The Prague Sewerage System: A short history and the importance of role of William Heerlein Lindley; Water Borne Diseases and Hippocrates: The Treatise On Airs, Waters, and Places; Ancient Greek and Roman Authors on Health and Sanitation; The Historical Development of Sanitation from Latrine to Centralized and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Plants; Progress Through Revolutions; The History of Land Application and Hydroponic Systems for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse; The Valencian, Spain Court of Water (Wastewater); The Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Management Throughout the Centuries: Past, Present, and Future